Real Madrid's Toni Kroos in from 150/1 to 33/1 for Ballon d'Or after Bayern Munich masterclass

Toni Kroos is in from 150/1 to 33/1 to win the Ballon d’Or after his sensational performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

bet365's Steve Freeth said: "Current favourite Jude Bellingham is having a great season with Real Madrid and has a huge chance of impressing even further at this summer's Euros.

"However, punters have been taking the monster prices about his team-mate Toni Kroos with his price tumbling from 150/1 into 33/1 after his showing against Bayern Munich as well as the prospect of him playing a huge part for the hosts in this summer' showpiece."

The contrast between last season’s limp Champions League exit to Manchester City and this season’s penalty shoot-out triumph was stark. As talented as Luka Modric is, the midfield containing the Croatian and Kroos was sorely overrun last season, with Eduardo Camavinga deployed as a makeshift left-back.

Ferland Mendy was back fit again this time around, meaning Carlo Ancelotti was able to field Camavinga in midfield alongside Kroos and Federico Valverde with Jude Bellingham taking up his more advanced role.

They lived a charmed life throughout much of the second leg, but won a place in the semi-finals against Bayern Munich and Los Blancos are favourites to win the Champions League again.

Ancelotti’s men likely left Bavaria annoyed that they didn’t leave with the win, despite going 2-1 down, but they’re still big favourites to reach the Champions League final, in no small part due to Kroos’s contribution.

The German completed 80 passes in the Allianz Arena – the most on the pitch (no other Real Madrid player reached 60) – 12 of which entered the final third (Aurelien Tchouameni was second with nine, and no other Real Madrid player had more than three).

Absolutely everything went through the 34-year-old, whose contemplations of retirement seemed even more dumbfounding after Tuesday’s display.

Kroos was never the fastest midfielder even in his youth, and he certainly doesn’t seem to be negatively impacted by age as the more dynamic midfielders often are; if anything his experience only seems to be making him a more important asset at the Bernabeu, and his performances have been excellent all season in La Liga.

Per 90 minutes played this term, Kroos ranks first amongst outfielders for progressive passing distance, first for progressive passes, seventh for key passes, first for passes into the final third and first for touches.

Kroos has played a slightly more subdued role this season, starting 22 out of a possible 33 games, but has been crucial in Real Madrid’s march towards La Liga nonetheless. Ancelotti’s side are 6/5 to win La Liga and the Champions League, while Germany are 11/2 to win their home Euros.

Kroos retired from international football after a hugely disappointing Euros in 2021, missing the 2022 World Cup, but was approached by new manager Julian Nagelsmann to come out of retirement – an offer he accepted.

Win La Liga, the Champions League and the Euros, and the 33/1 about Kroos winning the Ballon d’Or isn’t likely to be around for long.

Liam Williams

• Real Madrid CF
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