England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & the best EPL loanees of the season so far

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

Szoboszlai in tears as Netherlands vs Hungary is halted

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

Why Ronaldo has been released from the Portugal squad

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Rashford branded a 'clown' after attending New York Knicks game

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Ronaldo sets clear timeline for retirement

Ex-Man Utd ace says Mainoo shouldn't be in Amorim's starting XI

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ancelotti opens up about missing Kroos</li><li>German midfielder retired after the 2023-24 season</li><li>Real Madrid won't sign any more players in this window</li></ul>

Could Real Madrid replace Toni Kroos? Carlo Ancelotti makes stark admission about retired midfielder as he reiterates transfer stance

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

Los Blancos legend Kroos <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/roger-federer-football-toni-kroos-perfectly-timed-retirement-effortlessly-brilliant-central-midfielder/bltff18eaa73a532404" target="_blank">decided to hang up his boots</a> at the end of the 2023-24 season as he bowed out of club football after winning the Champions League title. His last competitive match as a professional footballer, however, was the Euro 2024 quarterfinal between Germany and Spain where La Roja emerged victorious 2-1.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Now ahead of the 2024-25 season, manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted that the team would miss the presence of the German in the dressing room while claiming it is 'impossible' to find his replacement. The Italian manager also reiterated that the club <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/all-completed-real-madrid-transfers-2024-25/bltbffc4bae4327bec7" target="_blank">will not sign any more players</a> in the ongoing summer transfer window.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking in his pre-match press conference about Kroos, the 65-year-old said, "The first game went well, we will always miss Kroos, he was a special player. Looking for another one is impossible, we have to adapt."He added, "The squad is closed, we have to wait until the market closes. We think Alaba will come back well. And we have young players who can play. We have been unlucky with Joan’s injury. Asencio and Jacobo can contribute."

WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

The reigning European and Spanish champions kicked off the new season midweek as they beat Atalanta to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-atalanta-kylian-mbappe/blt4cbbbe2efb3b6040" target="_blank">clinch the UEFA Super Cup</a>. They will begin their La Liga journey on Sunday against Mallorca.

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Could Real Madrid replace Toni Kroos? Carlo Ancelotti makes stark admission about retired midfielder as he reiterates transfer stance | Goal.com

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Real Madrid will miss retired icon Toni Kroos as he claimed that it is &apos;impossible&apos; to replace the German midfielder.