Squawka / News / Joselu says Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos deserved to win multiple Ballon d’Ors

Joselu says Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos deserved to win multiple Ballon d’Ors

Real Madrid forward Joselu believes Toni Kroos should be among the most decorated Ballon d’Or recipients.

The 33-year-old German midfielder has never won France Football’s prestigious annual individual prize with his best result coming in 2014 when he finished ninth though it’s worth noting between 2008 and 2017 the award was exclusively shared by Kroos’ former Los Blancos teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

This duopoly was broken in 2018 when Luka Modric took home the prize. Karim Benzema is the current holder but neither is favoured to win the 2023 edition as it’s expected to be a shootout between Messi, who inspired Argentina’s triumph at last winter’s World Cup, and Manchester City’s lethal Norwegian marksman Erling Haaland.

Joselu on loan from Espanyol feels Kroos deserved better when it came to handing out this accolade.

“Kroos should have five Ballon d’Ors!” he told Diario AS.

“He is an incredible player, capable of changing a game. He is one of the players who has caught my attention the most at Real Madrid. He never loses a ball and plays with a level-headedness that makes him different. It’s a pleasure to play with him.”

Entering his tenth season with Europe’s most decorated club, Kroos is no longer a guaranteed starter under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, he’s nevertheless featured in Real’s opening four La Liga matches — which they’ve won — assisting one goal in the process.

Read more:

Today's Best Offers
Get £10 Free - No Deposit! Then Bet £10, Get £10 At Ascot
  • £10 no deposit free bet
  • Extensive Bet-Builder
  • Fantastic Promotions
  • Fun Social Media Content
  • New Bookmaker
Claim Here

New customers only. Free Bets credited following registration. Must be wagered 1x at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). 7-day expiry. Stake not returned. Full T&Cs apply. 18+.  Gambleaware.org

Bet £10 Get £20 in Free Bets
  • Bet £10 get £20 in free bets
  • Excellent Football Betting Options
  • Fun Social Media Content
  • New Bookmaker
Claim Here

#AD 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in deposit & bet £10 or more on any sports market at min 1/1 odds within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £20 in sports Free Bets with 7 day expiry. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly.

SkyBetLogo20052025
Bet 5p get £30 in Free Bets
  • Bet 5p get £50 in Free Bets
  • Enhanced Offers
  • Request A Bet Feature
  • Vast selection of sports markets
Claim Offer

#AD 18+ New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.New customers only. First single & E/W bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 X £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non withdrawable. Free bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.