In the near two years since his departure from Real Madrid, Toni Kroos’s shadow looms large. The German retired in near perfect circumstances, bowing out at the end of the 2023–24 season a La Liga and Champions League double winner, with his final appearance of 465 for the club the final win over Dortmund in which he provided the assist for Dani Carvajal’s opener. A winner of 23 trophies across 10 seasons, including five Champions Leagues, Kroos—along with his teammate Luka Modrić—was an essential cog in the engine room that powered Real Madrid’s winning machine. Tellingly, Madrid have not won a major trophy since his departure. Now in a report from The Athletic , it is claimed that Kroos is being lined up for a return to Madrid ; not in midfield but in an off-pitch role. Kroos Eyed for Zidane-Style Comeback Toni Kroos won five Champions Leagues at Real Madrid.…