Toni Kroos was in no doubt when naming the four best teammates of his career

Toni Kroos was in no doubt when naming the four best players he has called teammates during his career.

On Tuesday Kroos made the surprise announcement that he will retire from professional football after Euro 2024.

Kroos' future at Real Madrid was in doubt with no progress made on renewing his contract beyond the end of the current season.

However, few expected the German midfielder to call time on his playing career after this summer's European Championship. Kroos retired from international football in 2021 but reversed his decision in February after holding talks with head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Kroos has enjoyed a wildly successful career with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, winning seven league titles and five Champions Leagues.

His final appearance in club football could come in the Champions League final on June 1, when Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

The midfielder also played a key role in Germany winning the World Cup in 2014, a tournament on the back of which he left Bayern for Madrid.

Kroos has played with and against so many quality players during his 17-year professional career, but he had no doubts when asked to name the best.

During an interview in 2022, German streamer Elias Nerlich asked Kroos to name the best goalkeeper, the best defender, the best midfielder and the best striker he has shared a pitch with.

"My entire career already shows that there had to be some extraordinary players, both in my teams and in rival teams," Kroos replied.

Real Madrid duo Toni Kroos and Luka Modric

"That is why it is very difficult to choose just a few. If I have to choose, I prefer these four: In goal, Manuel Neuer, both as a teammate and as a rival.

"Best defender: Sergio Ramos. Midfielder: Luka Modric. And in attack, clearly: Cristiano [Ronaldo]."

During the same interview, tennis legend Roger Federer asked which midfielder Kroos worked best with on the pitch.

"With Casemiro and with Luka Modric, two who don’t shy away from defensive tasks, we were very compact defensively," the German replied.

"On the other hand, we were also synonymous with football, control and special moments up front. The coordination between defence and attack was pretty perfect.

"Also because over the years, each of us knew which spaces to play in and which ones to defend. We didn’t have to talk to each other much during the game and we went out on the pitch with that confidence.

"I think the interaction with Modrić and Casemiro has come relatively close to perfection."