Official: Former Real Madrid midfielder wins prestigious Golden Man award | OneFootball

In a significant accolade for one of football’s most respected figures, former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has been honored with the Golden Man award for 2024 by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

This award recognizes Kroos as the standout player of the season for those over 21, highlighting his pivotal role in Real Madrid’s triumphant campaign, which included clinching the Champions League, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Kroos, who announced his retirement from the sport following the European Championship where he represented Germany, was instrumental in his team’s success before hanging up his boots.

The award ceremony, held in Turin, saw Kroos surpass his former teammate Vinicius Junior and Manchester City’s Rodrigo Hernandez, who had recently clinched the Ballon d’Or amidst debates over his selection.

The decision by Real Madrid to not attend the Ballon d’Or gala in Paris was a topic of discussion, with Tuttosport’s director Guido Vaciago publicly supporting the club’s stance.

In his letter to Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez, Vaciago praised the club’s integrity in light of the controversy.