VIDEO SHOWS: GERMAN PRESIDENT FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER BESTOWING FORMER BAYERN MUNICH AND REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER TONI KROOS WITH THE CROSS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY EDITORS NOTE: AUDIO AS INCOMING RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: MADRID, SPAIN (NOVEMBER 27, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. VARIOUS OF GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, BESTOWING FORMER BAYERN MUNICH AND REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER, TONI KROOS, WITH THE CROSS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY 2. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: “In recognition of the special contributions made to the Federal Republic of Germany, I award Mr. Toni Kroos in Madrid the Cross of Merit on the Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Berlin, November 27, 2025, The Federal Presidential signature. Congratulations, dear Toni Kroos.” 3. KROOS STEPPING UP TO SPEAK 4. (SOUNDBITE) (German) FORMER BAYERN MUNICH AND REAL MADRID MIDFIELDER, TONI KROOS, SAYING: “One is sporting success, and the other is – and I think you can also convey that in this context, that it is also a responsibility not only to be in the public eye, to also be a soccer player, especially at big clubs, I think, to share other values. And we tried to do that relatively early on. The foundation has been around for ten years now and will be around for a very, very long time. But all this time, it was also something that really helped me to try to stay grounded. With everything that happened where I knew exactly, of course, that my world as a soccer player is not a normal one, that it is somehow a, how should I say, a parallel world that other people can't even imagine. And this has always been extremely helpful for me to understand how life could have been or can be. And it has definitely always helped to keep me grounded.' 5. STEINMEIER STEPPING UP TO SPEAK 6. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: “And dear Toni Kroos, you did not only become a legend because of your outstanding sporting abilities and successes, but also because of your thoughtfulness on and off the pitch that made you a role model for many young soccer talents and sports enthusiasts. There are also your posts on social media that bring Germans and Spaniards closer together. Sometimes in German, sometimes in Spanish. But always with humour and great appreciation. They provide insights into your personal integration into Spanish society. They address cultural differences and similarities. Report mutual perceptions. As a midfielder, you were the heart of your team. To this day, however, you are a playmaker of the German-Spanish Friendship.” 7. WHITE FLASH 8. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING: “Just as you took responsibility for your team down there on the pitch, you are now taking responsibility for other people, for good cooperation in society and for the friendship between Germany and Spain. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment. I am delighted to now be able to award you the Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. ‘Gracias, Leyenda’, and continued best wishes to you and your family. Congratulations.” 9. KROOS HOLDING UP PART OF AWARD STORY: Germany honoured former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos with the country’s Order of Merit on Thursday (November 27) in a ceremony hosted by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Real Madrid´s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Steinmeier presented Kroos with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit for his achievements on and off the pitch. The 35-year-old helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and lifted the Champions League trophy once with Bayern Munich and five times with Real Madrid. Beyond his sporting success, Kroos founded the Toni Kroos Foundation, which supports seriously ill children and their families. Kroos retired from international football in 2021 but remained a key figure at Real Madrid until 2024, where he had played since 2014. (Production: Guillermo Martinez, Silvio Castellanos)
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