Toni Kroos: "Germany don't have a single world-class player"
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Toni Kroos says Germany currently has no world-class players.
- Kroos believes poor mentality contributed to Germany's World Cup exit.
- Germany's 2026 World Cup kit remains a rare bright spot despite early elimination.
Germany's hopes of ending years of tournament frustration came to an abrupt halt with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The result extended a worrying trend for one of international football's most decorated nations, following quarter-final elimination at Euro 2024 and group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
Toni Kroos delivers blunt verdict on Germany
Speaking on his TikTok programme Kroos & Kroos: die WM unter der Lupe, the 2014 World Cup winner argued that Germany no longer possesses the calibre of players capable of deciding matches at the highest level.We don't currently have a single world-class player. We have players with world-class potential, but that doesn't mean they are world-class.
The world-class players are deciding all the World Cup matches right now. They're the ones on the goalscorers' list where the world-class players are. We don't have a single one there, we have to be honest about that.
Kroos questions Germany's mentality
Kroos also questioned the mentality of the current squad, suggesting they failed to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.Drawing comparisons with the side that lifted the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the former midfielder said his generation always approached major tournaments with the mindset of improving rather than assuming victory was inevitable.
According to Kroos, Germany's defeat reflected a dangerous mix of self-doubt and overconfidence.
He suggested the players underestimated Paraguay and expected the result to take care of itself.
For Kroos, that mentality proved costly, with Germany unable to produce the composure required in the decisive moments.
Penalty shootout agony ends Germany's campaign
Germany looked to be heading into the last 16 after Kai Havertz cancelled out Julio Enciso's opening goal.The match took another twist when Jonathan Tah thought he had scored an extra-time winner, only for the goal to be ruled out.
The tie eventually went to penalties, where misses from Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah handed Germany their first-ever World Cup defeat in a penalty shootout.
The latest setback adds to growing concerns over Germany's ability to challenge for major honours under Julian Nagelsmann, with the national side still searching for a return to the consistency that defined its golden era.
Germany's World Cup kit provides one bright spot
Whilst Germany's campaign ended in bitter disappointment, one aspect of the tournament has earned widespread praise: the team's kit.Designed by adidas, the home shirt blends the nation's traditional white base with black, red and gold accents, drawing inspiration from Germany's iconic 1990 and 2014 World Cup-winning jerseys.
The design celebrates the long-standing partnership between adidas and the German Football Association whilst giving the classic look a modern update.
The kit has also been well received beyond Germany, with several fashion and football publications highlighting its retro-inspired aesthetic among the standout designs of the tournament.
It has been praised for successfully balancing heritage with contemporary styling, offering supporters something to celebrate despite the team's early exit.
Adding further significance, the 2026 collection marks the end of an era. It is the final Germany kit produced by adidas before Nike takes over as the national team's official kit supplier from 2027, making it a memorable farewell to one of football's most iconic manufacturer-team partnerships.
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