It’s easy to forget that, behind the glamorous facade, top footballers are just like the rest of us.
Alexis Sánchez is just a guy in his 20s who loves his dogs, Jamie Vardy’s your mate who’s really into his butterfly chicken at Nando’s, and Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho are always on the lookout for new JOE videos. Seriously.
But perhaps the strangest obsessions concern the greats of the game and their favourite musicians.
Toni Kroos has won more or less everything there is to win in football, so we can conclude his judgement on the pitch is pretty good.
Photo: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
The 27-year-old has three Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups and a World Cup winner’s medal…and could be on course to add to that this year with Real Madrid top of La Liga and among the favourites for European glory.
But all those medals are nothing in comparison to Kroos’ true love – the music of Robbie Williams.
Yes, that Robbie Williams. Annoyer of Gary Barlow, performer of Soccer Aid cameos, maker of Jonathan Wilkes. The big dog.
Our story begins in February 2014 when Kroos, during his final season with Bayern Munich, wished Williams a happy 40th birthday.
Der größte Künstler und Entertainer unserer zeit wird 40 ! Happy Birthday @robbiewilliams
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) February 13, 2014
The date February 13 is permanently etched in the German midfielder’s brain, and he has been keen to make it clear that he had no plans to just celebrate that one milestone and ignore the greatest entertainer of his generation.
Happy Birthday to the greatest entertainer of our time ! @robbiewilliams #legend
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) February 13, 2015
You see, after letting Williams entertain him for so many years, Kroos wanted to give something back.
Still the BEST! @robbiewilliams https://t.co/nyDOBAvTvD
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) September 29, 2016
Victory at the 2014 World Cup, followed by a winner’s medal as Real Madrid claimed their 11th Champions League title two years later, wasn’t going to stop the Madrid number 8 from pursuing his real goal…meeting his idol in the flesh.
This living legend is a great guy! Love him. Was a pleasure to meet you @robbiewilliams pic.twitter.com/AsTvp3XFth
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) December 5, 2016
Some might have rested on their laurels after that. Not our Toni, though. When February 13 rolled around again he knew what he needed to do.
Happy Birthday legend! @robbiewilliams
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) February 13, 2017
Superfan doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
