Kroos: "My head surprises me more than my body"

Top form, top ratings and currently indispensable for Real Madrid. Toni Kroos is still full of energy and still has high goals with the Whites. "You always have to be motivated, that's the most important thing. You still enjoy winning titles - otherwise you won't make it," said the 34-year-old ahead of the Champions League round of 16 first leg at RB Leipzig on Tuesday (21:00/Prime Video). And for him, it's also important "that the body is involved, I pay a lot of attention to that".

The Greifswald-born player surprised everyone with one statement: "My head surprises me more than my body. I started very young at the age of 17 at the highest level, also dealing with all the pressure. I thought I'd make it to 32, but my head surprised me, of course it's great."

That sounds anything but goodbye. That's why the Real star, the only German player to win the Champions League five times - four times with Real and once with FC Bayern Munich - is leaving his sporting future open. And twice at that. Will he extend his contract again at Real, where the 2014 world champion is considered an icon? Will he make a comeback after 106 caps for the German national team?

"I don't know yet, to be honest, I'm still thinking about it, I haven't made a decision yet. The truth is that I'm satisfied, I'm happy. And if a lot of people want me to keep playing, then it's a positive signal," said Kroos. He said tellingly about his DFB future: "I'm thinking about it, there is a possibility." However, he also emphasized: "I have always said that I want to end my career at my highest level."