Toni Kroos comments on Joshua Kimmich’s move to right-back and why it had to happen for Germany

Real Madrid star Toni Kroos retired from international play on Friday, but he did address the midfield logjam with the German national team and why Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich was willing to make the move to right-back.

“Jo is a guy like me who puts success above everything and therefore serves the team. He did that at the Euros, as he did before at Bayern, when he successfully played right-back in the 2020 Champions League win,” Kroos told Bild (as captured by Twitter account @iMiaSanMia). “He clearly said that he would rather play in midfield. But it will be difficult to find the absolute favorite position in the system for each of eleven players.”

Kimmich, of course, will not have to make a sacrifice in the next regime under Hansi Flick. It has been rumored that the former Bayern Munich manager is committed to a midfield pairing of Kimmich and Leon Goretzka.

Whether he would readily admit that or not, Kroos’ decision could have been influenced by those rumors.