Carlo Ancelotti: 'Toni Kroos contract renewal is up to him'

The German's future was the subject of much speculation last year, and it had been claimed that he was considering retiring from football at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Kroos ultimately signed a one-year extension, and he has again been a vital player for the capital giants this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and seven assists in the process.

Ancelotti is believed to be pushing for the 34-year-old to sign another deal until June 2025, and the Real Madrid head coach has confirmed that the midfielder will decide his own future.

"Kroos' renewal is a decision he will make at the right time and in the best way," Ancelotti told reporters during his press conference to preview Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Girona.

Kroos' mother has also had her say on the situation, with Birgit Kammer claiming that the midfielder's 'happiness' will decide whether he continues at Bernabeu.

"His renewal? That would make his coach, his teammates and I think Leon (his son) and many others happy too," she told the Einfach mal Luppen podcast.

"But in the end, he has to be happy, so he decides. He will decide what he wants and we will accept it, that's all."

Kroos arrived at Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014, and he has made 447 appearances for the Spanish giants in all competitions, scoring 28 goals and registering 96 assists in the process.

The midfielder has won three La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey and four Champions League trophies during a hugely-successful career in the Spanish capital.

Luka Modric, who is also out of contract this summer, has found it difficult to secure regular starts this season, but Kroos has again been a key player, featuring on 22 occasions in La Liga, while he played in five of his side's fixtures in the group stage of the Champions League.

Sixteen of Kroos's 22 league outings this season have come as a starter, and he is again expected to be in the XI against Girona on Saturday evening.

As well as Kroos and Modric, Nacho and Lucas Vazquez only have deals until the end of June, but it is thought that both will be offered the opportunity to sign extensions.