The former Real Madrid midfielder was recognized for his trophy-laden career and charity initiatives through his foundation. This is only the fourth time the award has been presented since 2017.
Ceremony Highlights
Tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka received top individual accolades at the 2026 Laureus accolades, while Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year for their 2025 Champions League victory. Kroos got the Sporting Inspiration Award from Novak Djokovic, who previously presented it to Mohamed Salah (2021) and JJ Watt (2018). The event, organized by Djokovic and Eileen Gu, brought together world-class athletes in Madrid during the Madrid Open tennis tournament.
Kroos's Illustrious Career
Toni Kroos left a lasting legacy as one of football's greatest midfielders before retiring in 2024. He began his career at Bayern Munich and went on to win the 2014 World Cup for Germany, five UEFA Champions Leagues, and four La Liga crowns with Real Madrid.
Kroos assisted Real Madrid 12 times in 46 games across all competitions, helping the club win the 2024 Champions League.
In La Liga 2023-24, he passed with over 90% accuracy and developed partnerships with Luka Modrić, allowing Real Madrid to dominate.
Beyond the Pitch: Charitable Impact
Kroos founded the Toni Kroos Foundation in 2015 to assist chronically ill children and their families with therapies and recreational activities not covered by insurance. The organization helps projects like Cologne's Amsterdamer Straße Children's Hospital and Düsseldorf's Regenbogenland Hospice by funding therapies and giving respite from hospital life.
Why Kroos Fits the Inspiration Mold
The Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award honors those who inspire via athletic and societal achievements, rather than just medals. Kroos is the fourth recipient, following the Refugee Olympic Team in 2017, JJ Watt in 2018, and Mohamed Salah in 2021. His off-field activities match with Laureus values, comparable to the Laureus Sport for Good Award recipient Fútbol Más, who encourage youth resilience via football throughout Latin America and Africa. According to German media outlet BILD, Novak Djokovic, who delivered the award, praised Kroos' blend of excellence and humility in his post-ceremony remarks.