Toni Kroos, a Real Madrid legend who retired from professional football last summer, has made a gesture that has deeply resonated with the club’s supporters. In an Instagram story, the German midfielder shared a fan-created photomontage rich in symbolism for both the present and future of Los Blancos.

The image features Kroos alongside Luka Modric—two icons of the club’s most recent golden era—while just below them appear Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde, the duo seen as natural heirs to lead the team in the coming years. Notably, the montage assigns the legendary jersey numbers “10” to Mbappé and “8” to Valverde, symbolically passing on the numbers worn by Modric (now at Milan) and Kroos himself for over a decade.

For many fans, Kroos’s repost is a silent endorsement of this generational transition, acknowledging the handover of responsibility and leadership in the Santiago Bernabéu dressing room. Mbappé, now donning the number 10, joined last season as the club’s attacking spearhead, while Valverde—well established in midfield—embodies the tireless work ethic and competitive spirit that defined the Kroos-Modric partnership.

Beyond the photo, the gesture reinforces Kroos’s lasting bond with Real Madrid and his engagement with its future, even from outside the pitch. It’s more than just an image; it’s a tribute to the club’s recent history and a sign of hope that the new generation will uphold the standards of excellence set over the last decade.

The post-Kroos-Modric era has begun, with Mbappé and Valverde entrusted with the honor and responsibility of carrying forward the legacy of two players who perfectly represented Real Madrid’s values and modern football dominance.

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