Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de. Today is the turn of Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.
My first kit: My first real jersey with a name and a number on the back was Johan Micoud’s number 10 from his time at Werder Bremen. I always looked up to him because he was composed and controlled the game for this team. He was one of the real greats for me.
My first club: It was Greifswalder SC. I played there with my brother Felix and we then both moved to FC Hansa Rostock.
My first coach: That would be my father, Roland Kroos, firstly at home and then in Greifswald. He was a former wrestler before he got involved with football. Felix and I played football and trained together with him from an early age. We could barely run but we still went on to the pitch and had a kickabout. He now coaches FC Hansa’s U19s
My first position: I played in attacking midfield to begin with. I like to be in the middle of the pitch a lot. You saw the most action there and you were always close to the ball. The goal wasn’t too far away either and I bagged a few goals at an early age and gained experience.
My first role model: As I said, Johan Micoud always fascinated me. He also played in Bremen which wasn’t too far from us.
My first title: The first title that I can remember well was the 2005 Pape Cup in Magdeburg. We won the tournament with Hansa and I was crowned best player and top scorer. You don’t forget things like that.
My first trip to a stadium: It must have been Hansa. It was relatively easy to get tickets as I played in the youth team there. I was reminded of a game against Bayern when I was in the ZDF sports studios a couple of years ago. The television crew asked the youth players for predictions at the time and as a little Rostock lad, I of course predicted 1-0 for Hansa (laughs).
My first Bundesliga game: I was included in FC Bayern’s Bundesliga squad for the first time on 26th September 2007. I was subbed on by Ottmar Hitzfeld for Zé Roberto in the 72nd minute and set up both of Klose’s goals to make it 4-0 and 5-0 from crosses.
My first professional goal: It was on 25th October 2007. We were away to Red Star Belgrade in the group phase of the UEFA Cup at the time. The ‘Marakana’ Stadium in Belgrade was a really hostile ground. I was subbed on nine minutes before the end and first set up Miro Klose’s goal to make it 2-2. Then in added time, I was aiming to just deliver a free kick into the box. The ball went past everyone and under the Serbian keeper. It was the winning goal to make it 3-2.
My first international: 3rd March 2010 – a 1-0 loss against Argentina in Munich. I came on for Thomas Müller in the 67th minute. I was then included in the Germany squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
created by mmc/ot
Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de. Today is the turn of Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.
My first kit: My first real jersey with a name and a number on the back was Johan Micoud’s number 10 from his time at Werder Bremen. I always looked up to him because he was composed and controlled the game for this team. He was one of the real greats for me.
My first club: It was Greifswalder SC. I played there with my brother Felix and we then both moved to FC Hansa Rostock.
My first coach: That would be my father, Roland Kroos, firstly at home and then in Greifswald. He was a former wrestler before he got involved with football. Felix and I played football and trained together with him from an early age. We could barely run but we still went on to the pitch and had a kickabout. He now coaches FC Hansa’s U19s
My first position: I played in attacking midfield to begin with. I like to be in the middle of the pitch a lot. You saw the most action there and you were always close to the ball. The goal wasn’t too far away either and I bagged a few goals at an early age and gained experience.
My first role model: As I said, Johan Micoud always fascinated me. He also played in Bremen which wasn’t too far from us.
My first title: The first title that I can remember well was the 2005 Pape Cup in Magdeburg. We won the tournament with Hansa and I was crowned best player and top scorer. You don’t forget things like that.
My first trip to a stadium: It must have been Hansa. It was relatively easy to get tickets as I played in the youth team there. I was reminded of a game against Bayern when I was in the ZDF sports studios a couple of years ago. The television crew asked the youth players for predictions at the time and as a little Rostock lad, I of course predicted 1-0 for Hansa (laughs).
My first Bundesliga game: I was included in FC Bayern’s Bundesliga squad for the first time on 26th September 2007. I was subbed on by Ottmar Hitzfeld for Zé Roberto in the 72nd minute and set up both of Klose’s goals to make it 4-0 and 5-0 from crosses.
My first professional goal: It was on 25th October 2007. We were away to Red Star Belgrade in the group phase of the UEFA Cup at the time. The ‘Marakana’ Stadium in Belgrade was a really hostile ground. I was subbed on nine minutes before the end and first set up Miro Klose’s goal to make it 2-2. Then in added time, I was aiming to just deliver a free kick into the box. The ball went past everyone and under the Serbian keeper. It was the winning goal to make it 3-2.
My first international: 3rd March 2010 – a 1-0 loss against Argentina in Munich. I came on for Thomas Müller in the 67th minute. I was then included in the Germany squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
