Toni Kroos: From Premier League bound to Real Madrid legend

That haul includes five UEFA Champions League titles, five FIFA Club World Cups, four UEFA Super Cups, four La Liga championships, one Copa del Rey, and four Spanish Super Cups.

His remarkable career, filled with accolades, could have taken a very different turn had he made another choice back in 2014.

During a live segment of the Icon League, a competition inspired by his vision, Kroos was asked whether he ever wished to play in the Premier League.

He revealed a fascinating anecdote from his early career: "At one stage, I could have. I had already agreed terms with Manchester United in 2014 before signing for Real Madrid.

"It would have been a transfer from Bayern Munich to United."

However, that move never materialised due to unforeseen circumstances. Kroos explained, "David Moyes, who had been negotiating with Bayern, was sacked, and they brought in Louis van Gaal.

"Both of us declined the move gratefully," referencing his and Van Gaal's mutual reluctance to proceed with the transfer.

The relationship between Kroos and Van Gaal was less than harmonious. They had both been at Bayern Munich during the 2010-2011 season, where Kroos played a crucial role but struggled to find his ideal position. Their personal dynamics further complicated matters, leading to the collapse of the transfer negotiations.

Reflecting on what could have been, Kroos recounted in a 2020 interview with The Athletic, "Moyes came specifically to me, and the contract was practically signed. Then Moyes was dismissed, and Van Gaal took over.

"That complicated things. I didn't hear from United for a while, and I began to have doubts."

Ultimately, it was during the World Cup that everything changed. "(Carlo) Ancelotti, the coach at Real Madrid at that time, reached out, and that was that."

This pivotal moment led to Kroos joining Real Madrid for $25 million, marking the beginning of a journey that would see him become Germany's most decorated player and a key figure in the history of the Spanish capital club.

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