Toni Kroos and Sergio Scariolo were the special guests on the third day of White Week, an event organized by the Real Madrid Graduate School at the auditorium of Ciudad Real Madrid. The session was moderated by Emilio Butragueño and featured both World Cup champions reflecting on their careers and experiences in elite sport.

During the discussion, Kroos spoke about his successful time at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles. One of the central topics was the club’s unique relationship with Europe’s most prestigious competition, the UEFA Champions League.

“I was hungry until the very end. And when you won the Champions League, the next day the president would tell you to go for the next one. You can enjoy yourself for a few hours until the following day, when you hear from the president: 'Very good, and we'll see you here again next year, in the same place, with the same trophy.' It might seem trivial, but it doesn't let you relax. At this club, you have 'Champions League, Champions League, Champions League' constantly on your mind.”

Kroos also reflected on the historic period in which the team won three consecutive Champions League titles, a feat that had not been achieved since the 1970s.

“We were a team. There were many great players, but we understood that when the referee blew the whistle, we all wanted the same thing. We all wanted to win, and that was the key. We were also very good; if you're a bad team, you don't win Champions Leagues.”

The German midfielder also took time to praise club president Florentino Pérez and the atmosphere within the club.

“After so much time here, I can say it’s a very humane club, very much like a family. And that always starts at the top. The way Florentino Pérez welcomed me from day one, the way he’s always spoken to me… But not just me, every time he goes into the locker room. It’s something you can see from the outside too. He conveys something very human, and I’ve always valued that a lot about this club. I’ve been in many different locker rooms here, many players have left and others have arrived, but that hasn’t changed. I’ve felt very comfortable at this club, very protected during difficult times, because we’ve experienced them too. And that’s what made it special. That’s also why this ending, because we wanted to say goodbye at the top.”

Kroos also explained his decision to retire while still performing at the highest level.

“I retired because I never wanted to reach the point where I didn't feel as good and started having physical problems. The feeling with the ball never goes away; I still have it.”

“I always knew I wanted to leave the way I deserve, the way the club deserves, and the way I want the fans to remember me, because that last image is very important to me. I’m very happy with this decision; it’s exactly how I always wanted it. I couldn’t plan to win the Champions League because I had already decided that. In the end, everything turned out so well, with the Champions League and La Liga—it couldn’t be better.”

Finally, Kroos also commented on the current form of the team and their recent performances against Manchester City.

“The team has been able to raise its level, adapting to the opponent and the importance of the match. They've played two very good games. At home, number 8, who I really like, helped us a lot. Now the Germans are coming.”

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