Toni Kroos, rated one of Germany's most talented
youngsters, has already signed professional forms and appeared for
Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Cup at the age of just
17. The starlet added another accomplishment to his record today
when he attended the FIFA World Player Gala 2007 at the Zurich
Opera House.
Kroos was honoured for his dazzling displays at the FIFA U-17
World Cup Korea 2007, where he spearheaded Germany's charge to
third place and was named Player of the Tournament.
The up-and-coming midfielder took time out for an exclusive
chat with
FIFA.com, reflecting on the most eventful year of
his career to date.
What have been your personal highlights this year?
It all started in the middle of the year with the successful
World Cup in Korea, and continued with my first appearances as a
professional with Bayern. Each and every one of those has been a
highlight.
Thinking back to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007, what
are your memories of the tournament?
There aren't really any specific incidents, it's more
the tournament as a whole. I have very fond memories, because we
were tremendous as a team, we gave a good account of ourselves, and
we deserved to finish third. Our performances in the group and
against the USA were excellent, but Nigeria deservedly knocked us
out at the semi-final stage. But despite the defeat, we probably
achieved more than was expected of us, and we're very pleased
with what we did achieve. The tournament was obviously a great
success for me personally as well.
You've come here to the FIFA World Player Gala as a
17-year-old to collect an award as best player at a FIFA World Cup,
so what can you hope to add to that over the next few
years?
It's an honour to be here in Zurich and I'm enjoying
it. Naturally, I've set my sights high for the future. The
players you see here this evening who've been shortlisted for
World Player of the Year are without exception in their early to
mid-twenties, which means I have six or seven years to reach their
standards. But I'd like to arrive at that point even earlier if
possible.
Let's cast an eye forward to 2008...
I think my performances for Bayern so far should get me more
time on the field, because I've been working hard and putting
myself forward. With the squad we have, we're aiming to win the
German league title and go as far as we can in the UEFA Cup, and I
think we'll achieve our goals.
