Toni Kroos has already chosen his heir for the number 8 shirt

Toni Kroos is set to leave Real Madrid this summer, leaving behind the jersey number he has worn since his arrival in 2014.

The announcement of Toni Kroos’ retirement at the end of the season, following his participation in the Champions League final and Euro 2024 in Germany, has sent shockwaves through Madrid. The decision has been met with total surprise at the club; everyone had expected him to extend his contract for another year.

One of the questions now facing Valdebebas is: who will inherit the number 8 jersey? The frontrunner appears to be Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan posted a heartfelt message bidding farewell to his teammate. In his words, which delighted fans, he referred to Kroos as an idol and a role model. He also stated, “I have fulfilled my dream of playing with the player I have always considered my idol.”

Valverde’s message read:

“I guess when we were kids, we all had an idol. The one we admired, the one we saw on TV and thought, ‘I want to be like him when I grow up.’

And if we were kids with big imaginations, we could dream of playing football with that idol, who seemed distant, untouchable, hard to reach. That kid was me. That kid fulfilled his dream and played with the player he had always idolized. Today, with a strange feeling and a lump in my throat, I know that boy would have loved to play with you for another ten years, and so would I, Toni. Because I’ve never stopped being that kid who always admired you.

I’ve been thinking about this letter all day, and I don’t think I’ve ever told you, and I don’t know if I could do it in person, but I want you to know that I love you and that a part of who I am is thanks to you,” wrote Valverde.

In the same post, Vinicius Junior referred to Valverde as the “heir to the number 8.” It seems that the German’s jersey number is destined to be passed on to the Uruguayan next season, although nothing has been decided yet.

“Ufff, my dear Fede. You know you are very important to me. Because I love you as a player and as a person. You have everything it takes to be the captain of this team in the future. I will always be by your side! Tomorrow, we will talk about another subject… #8,” replied Kroos.

With this affectionate comment that Kroos left on Valverde’s post, it’s understood that in addition to promising a “discussion” about the number 8, he has also designated him as the future captain of Real Madrid.