Ancelotti calls for Kroos Madrid retirement U-turn

Carlo Ancelotti has said he wants Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos to reconsider his decision to retire after helping the Spanish club win a record 15th Champions League title in a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund.

Kroos clinched his sixth Champions League winners’ medal — five with Madrid and one with Bayern Munich — at Wembley, but the 34-year-old stated earlier this season that he would retire from football after playing for Germany at Euro 2024 this summer.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

However, having seen Kroos create the opening goal for Dani Carvajal with a pinpoint delivery from a corner, Madrid coach Ancelotti said he and the club are waiting for Kroos to “change his mind” about quitting.

“I’m really grateful to Kroos,” Ancelotti said. “He finished at the very top, there is no way to finish higher than this. He had the boldness to finish it [his career] and he is a legend at this club.

“All the fans are grateful to him for attitude, his professionalism. I’ve told him we are waiting for him to change his mind — we are waiting for you.”

Madrid are expected to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappé this week following the France forward’s exit from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.

And Ancelotti said that Madrid will also look to existing players at the Bernabéu to fill the void left by Kroos’ retirement.

“We have lost an important player, but we have players who can replace him and we will adapt and play a slightly different way,” Ancelotti said. “We have fantastic players and the resources to remain competitive.”