GERMAN FOOTBALL STAR TONI KROOS SPEAKS TO EUROSPORT GERMANY'S TENNIS PODCAST

On the restart of the Bundesliga this weekend
We are looking forward eagerly to the situation from Spain and hope that the league, which starts first, doesn't relapse immediately and that this will have an impact on us

On the restart in Spain
It's slowly starting again, we've been training again since this week, but without physical contact. It is a strange situation, a strange training. You see everyone, but still you are not allowed to come closer. It's even forbidden to pass the ball back and forth.

On the effects of the coronavirus on his life in Madrid
Madrid has been hit extremely hard, there are still some lockdowns. It's a difficult situation, but me and my family have been fine all the time. And if you know me, you know that being at home is not the greatest punishment for me.

On his everyday life in Madrid at the moment
My wife and I had to get used to this situation with our three children aged one, three and six. It was relatively challenging. We split the tasks: One took care of home schooling with the two older ones and the other one took care of the very young one, who is not yet quite so independent. So, the day was already well filled. Besides, I tried to take advantage of a spot to keep myself fit.

On his surprising bench role in the Champions League game against Manchester City
It was the first big game in almost six years that I wasn't in the starting eleven. Of course, it peeves me. It would be bad if it wasn't. If this would be the point, I think I can stop. It peeves me, but I had to accept it.

On his departure from FC Bayern 2014
In retrospect, one can certainly say that one or the other regretted having let me go. I am not one of them. (laughs) For me it was the best way. There was no agreement back then. I had my firm opinion; Bayern had its own - and then things just go apart. Even if FC Bayern is not used to players leaving, that's the way it was. Nevertheless, the summary is that there are a lot of titles with the club and for me there is absolutely nothing stuck. There is not one person in the club with whom I have a problem or to whom I would wish something bad. Therefore, Bayern is the club - behind Union Berlin (where brother Felix plays, editor's note) - that I wish all the best.

On his contract in Madrid, which expires in 2023
Three years in football are long - three years with Real Madrid is even longer. (laughs) I definitely want to spend those three years at Real. Then it's a good time at 33 to ask yourself: what is the physical situation, what is the motivation - do I still feel like going on? And then we'll see.

On his future away from Real Madrid
One thing you will definitely not read about me: 'Kroos goes to China for another two years' or stories like that. You can forget that. I can't imagine that it is an option for me to go somewhere else again. If something comes together and you say: 'Okay, another year here, because you're still good enough and you still want to’, I wouldn't rule it out. But then another change, at the end to England, where they play very physically, I can't imagine that at 33 anymore.

On the change in perception about him in Germany
Since I've been in Madrid, I think people see me differently. In Munich the feeling was already like that: This is one of many national players we have. And he's not the most striking in terms of his style of play. He's just part of the team, maybe that was the perception. But when you're the only German international in Madrid, you're more visible, even from Germany. How is he doing there? A lot of people probably thought: It probably won't happen in Madrid anyway. And then, oops, it will. And successful, too. That turned the majority's view into a positive one. Sooner or later there was no other chance. But that's not the most important thing for me either. I always knew what I could do and what I wanted. That's what got me there.

On his controversial statements on the subject of salary sacrifice
I would repeat the same thing again today. Anyone who deals with this statement, and can do so with three brain cells, also knows what it meant. So, I have not apologized or had to apologize for anything. I just explained it again. But there is a difference between not understanding and not wanting to understand. The statement was made at a time when we were not even in discussion with Real about a salary cut. It's also no secret that Real Madrid is doing pretty well. So, it was clear to me: As long as the club doesn't come to us and say that they need it to pay employees, it is unnecessary for me to waive my salary. Then I'd rather take the whole thing and use it to do something for those who need it even more. But when the club approached us, it was clear to us that we would give up a part (editor's note: ten percent) to help one or the other employee.

On his soft spot for Roger Federer, who he considers the greatest athlete of all time
I am absolutely convinced of this - even if I can only speak for the time I have experienced. I can't judge the rest, but even then, it could be hard to surpass Roger. For me, it's a mix of success and the fact that his tennis is nice to look at. I've met him a few times and can confirm that he is a totally pleasant guy. He comes across as a family man, is interested in soccer - even if he didn't hit the jackpot with FC Basel, but he has to go through it. So, it's not hard for me to be a fan of Roger Federer."

On the successor to Roger Federer
I once leaned quite far out of the window and said: In five years Dimitrov will be the clear number one. How he moves, how he plays, I already liked it very much. But it hasn't come to that. Maybe I saw more than there was. Today I like to watch Stefanos Tsitsipas. If he gets more consistency in his playing, that could be one. I have yet to be convinced by Zverev. Of course, as a German I hope for him. The last person I really liked to watch from a German point of view as a tennis fan was Tommy Haas. Boris was unfortunately too early for me. If you look at the Grand Slams with Sascha, there's still a bit missing. I can see Tsitsipas just a bit further. And if I had to choose, Tsitsipas plays the nicer tennis for me.

On his relationship with tennis
I try to play tennis regularly here in Madrid, with a coach. I simply have a lot of fun. We are currently building in Germany, there will be a tennis court in the backyard. For me it is an incredibly good chance to play tennis. I was honored that Roger sent me one of his rackets, and of course it has to be tried out.

Toni Kroos was speaking to Matthias Stach and Boris Becker for Eurosport Germany's Tennis Podcast. Head to eurosport.de for the full interview