German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) presents former German international footballer Toni Kroos with the Cross of the Order of Merit of Germany during a visit to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpaDPAThu, November 27, 2025 at 7:01 PM UTC·2 min readFormer Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos recieved Germany's Federal Order of Merit from the nation's president, Franz-Walter Steinmeier at a ceremony in Real's Bernabeu Stadium on Thursday.
Steinmeier named Kroos "a living legend" and added: "As a midfielder, you were the heart of your team, and to this day you are a playmaker of German-Spanish friendship.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"It was also your friendly and level-headed demeanour on and off the pitch that made you a role model for many young football talents and sports fans," Steinmeier said.
Kroos, 35, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, and six Champions Leagues, the last one in his final game for Real, where he played for 10 years, in June 2024. He also has four La Liga titles with Real and three Bundesliga and German Cup titles from his term at Bayern Munich.
Kroos' last career match was Germany's quarter-final defeat against Spain at Euro 2024.
Steinmeier praised the social engagement of Kroos, who is helping severely ill children and their parents via a foundation he set up in 2015.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKroos, who lives near Madrid with his family, said the award was for the whole team of his foundation which helped him stay grounded during his career. He called on all footballers to show social engagement.
Kroos added that receiving the order of merit at the Bernabeu during Steinmeier's state visit to Spain was special.
"It's extremely special for me, not only to receive this award, but also where I'm receiving it. This stadium has been my home for the last 10 years and I believe it always will be," he said.
Four months ago Kroos was also honoured with the order of merit in his eastern German home state of Mecklenburg–Vorpommern for his social engagement in the region.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender stand with former German international footballer Toni Kroos during a visit to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Former German international footballer Toni Kroos shows the certificate and the Cross of the Order of Merit of Germany, awarded to him earlier by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a visit to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu Stadium. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpaAdvertisementAdvertisement
