Kroos explained that he didn't wake up one morning thinking he had to retire. Instead, he had been considering it for months. He even renewed his contract with Real Madrid for another year, but his plan was always to retire on his own terms.

For Kroos, it was essential to leave the sport while still having an influence. He felt that it's better to retire at the best time, with a sense of accomplishment and a positive feeling. He didn't want anyone else to tell him when to stop playing.

Kroos also defended the often underrated role of a midfielder in modern football. He pointed out that a good midfielder can make a big difference in a team's performance, and that's why he feels his retirement was a good time.

During the interview, Kroos also shared how Real Madrid fans would often link the team's difficulties to his absence. He's been a Real Madrid fan since his retirement and has heard people say that the team's problems are because he's not there.

Kroos believes that the relationship between players and the press can be challenging, especially in Spain where there's a lot of passion and pressure. He thinks that players need to learn how to manage the criticism and not take it personally.

Ultimately, Kroos sees the press as doing their job, trying to sell stories and attract attention. He believes that there are good and bad players, just as there are good and bad journalists.