Toni Kroos’ transfer from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid is considered one of the most significant deals in football history.
Joining for just €25 million, Kroos evolved into one of the finest midfielders of his generation. It remains a move Bayern Munich continues to reflect on, and now the club’s honorary president has openly detailed how the transfer came about, offering no apologies for the club’s financial stance.
Speaking in a recent interview, Uli Hoeness defended Bayern’s approach to financial discipline.
“Michael Ballack went to England, Toni Kroos to Spain, but even then, we were in control,” he said, as quoted by Defensa Central.
Kroos is a Real Madrid legend. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for Laureus)
Hoeness was remarkably straightforward about the specifics of Kroos’ departure.
“I met Toni once and told him that he would never earn 10 million and one euro at Bayern, so he left.”
At the time, Bayern’s offer was exactly €10 million, but the club refused to exceed that figure.
Kroos’ agent later confirmed a similar version of events.
“I met with Bayern in Munich and Rummenigge told me that because of the high regard we have for Toni, we would go up to 6.5 million. I replied that we wouldn’t accept less than 10 million and the conversation ended,” the agent explained.
Hoeness then took matters into his own hands.
“I entered the dressing room and shouted at Toni: ‘Call your agent! You’ll never earn 10 million here!’ Toni replied: ‘I don’t need to call him, we have the same opinion.'”
Kroos eventually joined Real Madrid for just €25 million, winning five Champions League titles and making nearly 450 competitive appearances before retiring in 2024.
However, Kroos’ chapter at Real Madrid may not be entirely closed, as recent reports have linked him to a potential return to the touchline.