Real Madrid star Toni Kroos doesn't want to overstay his welcome in football

Toni Kroos has expressed his desire to retire while still performing at a high level and has no intention of seeing his career fade away from the sidelines.

The 33-year-old German midfielder recently extended his contract with Real Madrid for another year, entering his tenth season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, there is a recognition that Kroos is entering the final phase of his career.

"There are one or two negative examples, who simply could not leave football, and were no longer the player people have in their minds. I don't want that to happen to me," he told RTL.

"I have the feeling that this season has gone as well as the last nine in Madrid. Why wouldn't the next one go just as well? I still enjoy football and I'm hungry for titles."

During an interview with RTL, Kroos emphasised his confidence in his abilities but also acknowledged the concern of his body potentially betraying him.

For the past decade, Kroos has been a key figure in Real Madrid's midfield alongside fellow veteran Luka Modric, but the club have actively sought to revitalise the midfield in recent years.

The arrivals of Federico Valverde (24), Eduardo Camavinga (20), Aurelien Tchouameni (23), and Jude Bellingham (20) this summer, who secured Zinedine Zidane's iconic number five shirt, demonstrate Real Madrid's efforts to infuse young talent in that area of the pitch.

Additionally, with Dani Ceballos signing a new four-year contract, manager Carlo Ancelotti now has a wealth of options with seven central midfielders at his disposal.