Toni Kroos Reveals FC Barcelona Rejection in 2014

Toni Kroos will retire from football following the European Championships, with his final match at the Bernabeu on Saturday against Sevilla.

Kroos was nearly signed by FC Barcelona in 2014, but the club didn't pursue him, as explained by Ramon Besa.

Besa recalled asking Pep Guardiola about Kroos when he left Bayern Munich, and Guardiola presented Kroos as an alternative who could sign for Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Kroos has had an extraordinary career at Real Madrid, winning four UCL titles and becoming Spanish champion four times.

He will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League decider on June 1, with a chance to equal Paco Gento as the competition's most successful player of all time with six European Cup crowns.

Kroos' retirement will mark the end of an era for Real Madrid, and his legacy will be remembered as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kroos' qualities, saying they are almost impossible to replace.

FC Barcelona's decision not to sign Kroos in 2014 was likely due to their existing midfield talent, including Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets.

In Kroos' first season at Madrid, Barcelona won a treble under Luis Enrique, but that would be the last time they ruled the continent until now.

Kroos' career has been marked by numerous achievements, including his time at Bayern Munich, where he won the UCL title in 2013.

His upcoming retirement will be a significant loss for Real Madrid, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of football players.