Toni Kroos is Germany’s footballer of the year 2024. He won the vote organized by Kicker magazine. Kroos hung up his football boots after the European Championship in his home country and is now enjoying life after his career.

The fact that Kroos is not only thinking about sport, but is also concerned about social issues – especially now – was shown by his appearance on the podcast “Lanz & Precht” with ZDF presenter Markus Lanz and philosopher Richard David Precht a few weeks ago.

In it, he also commented on the willingness to perform in society. It is “a point where you notice that it is declining,” the 34-year-old criticizes in the interview. The fact that goals are sometimes no longer counted in youth football is going in the “completely wrong direction.” In and outside of sport, it is important for him to strive for success: “I want my children to try to be the best at what they do.”

In Spain he is less afraid for his daughter

After the European Championship in Germany, Kroos’ career will end – his outstanding professional career, which had its highlights in recent years at Real Madrid, is over.

Kroos wants to stay in Spain for now, he says – also because Germany is no longer the same “as it was ten years ago when we left”. Compared to Spain, he feels more uneasy here about letting his daughter go out “at 11 p.m. in a big German city”.

Finally, Kroos talks about the issue of migration in Germany, saying it is “constantly present”.

The European Championships are showing once again how open Germany can be. But in recent years, many things have been too “uncontrolled”.

Germans’ attitude towards immigrants is becoming “increasingly divided”

It is clear to him that a certain percentage of immigrants have negative aspects – this is also the case among Germans, Kroos stressed. “If you cannot distinguish them from those who are not good for us, it will be difficult in the end. Then the attitude of the Germans will become more and more divided.” It is clear that the country needs many of the people who immigrate. But it has not been possible to get society on board with the issue.

Moderator Lanz also commented: People have been systematically overwhelmed on many levels. “There are problems everywhere. It’s too crowded, there’s too much.” And when someone voices criticism, people are quick to say that it’s racist. But he says loudly: “This country is not a racist country.”

You can watch the whole conversation here:

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