Toni Kroos has named Luka Modric and Gareth Bale as the Real Madrid team-mates he would most like in the Germany side.

“Can I pick two?” the 26-year-old responded when asked by Kicker which Merengue player he’d choose to boost Joachim Low’s FIFA World Cup™ holders. "I'd take Luka Modric and Gareth Bale.

“It's a lot of fun to play with Luka. We clicked from the first day – we are people with similar thinking but a different playing style. We complement each other. Gareth is a weapon with his speed, his left foot and his headers."

Kroos helped Germany finish third at South Africa 2010, and played a fundamental role in their Brazil 2014 triumph. He scored twice in the historic 7-1 semi-final thumping of the hosts, and finished the tournament as its joint-leading assister, alongside Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado.

Kroos has also won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid. So, who would win if Die Mannschaft battled Los Merengues?

“It would be interesting to have them play against each other,” said the 74-times-capped midfielder. But I would have to give it some thought (laughs).

“They are definitely two of the best teams around. But what would happen if they squared off, I couldn’t even guess. They have different philosophies, different characters, players who think completely differently.

“It’s fun to think about. There’s very little between them. They’re both very good sides.” Russian adventures for Real trio? Germany head Group C in European qualifying for Russia 2018, five points above nearest challengers Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan.

Injury has limited Modric’s participation in Croatia’s campaign, but they still lead Group I, two points clear of Ukraine and three north of third-placed Iceland.

Bale and Co have work to do. Wales are third in Group D, two points shy of Serbia and four behind Republic of Ireland.