Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos has ascended to the ranks of football royalty, alongside legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, by achieving a milestone of at least 150 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
Kroos showcased his brilliance across both legs of Real Madrid’s triumphant semifinal clash against his former club Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
In the initial encounter at the Allianz Arena on April 30th, the German midfielder orchestrated a masterful victory for Real Madrid, orchestrating a precise pass that dissected Bayern’s defense, leading to Vinicius Junior’s decisive goal.
Following a hard-fought 2-2 draw in the first leg, Kroos played an indispensable role in the return fixture on May 8th, as Real Madrid staged a stunning 2-1 comeback, clinching their berth in the final.
His commanding presence at the Santiago Bernabeu further solidified his status among the football elite, joining an exclusive fraternity of players with a minimum of 150 UEFA Champions League appearances, according to Opta Jose.
Kroos is poised to expand upon this illustrious tally when Real Madrid squares off against Borussia Dortmund in the final showdown at Wembley.
In the pantheon of Champions League stalwarts, Kroos becomes only the seventh player to achieve this remarkable feat.
Leading the pack is the indomitable Ronaldo, boasting an unmatched 183 appearances, closely followed by the legendary Iker Casillas with 177.
Messi claims the third spot with 163 appearances, trailed by Karim Benzema at 152.
Notably, Kroos’s entry places him alongside the esteemed company of Xavi Hernandez and Thomas Muller, each with 151 and 150 appearances respectively.
