Toni Kroos honored in Greifswald: A celebration for the whole city!

Toni Kroos honored in Greifswald: A celebration for the whole city!

In Greifswald, the hometown of the successful footballer Toni Kroos, the former world champion was awarded the State Order of Merit of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Friday. At this ceremony, which was attended by around 1,000 people, Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig recognized Kroos not only for his sporting successes, but especially for his remarkable social commitment. The Toni Kroos Foundation supports seriously ill children and their families, which was a major concern for the Prime Minister.

The event took place in the Volksstadion in Greifswald, which was appropriately renamed “Krooswald” for the occasion. Among the guests were 500 young footballers from Greifswald football clubs and from the children's and youth hospice Leuchtturm e.V., who were particularly pleased about the teacher's presence. 160 dancers from the Ostseetanz association also contributed to the festive atmosphere.

A look back at the beginnings

During his acceptance speech, Kroos looked back on his roots. “My journey began at Greifswalder SC in 1997,” he remembered. The native of Greifswald has had an impressive career, which eventually led him to Real Madrid through stints at Hansa Rostock, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. With a total of 34 titles, including six Champions League trophies, he is considered one of the most successful footballers in Germany.

His special connection to the city is also reflected in the fact that Kroos celebrated his grandfather's 90th birthday this weekend. Full house, but many were left out - not everyone was lucky enough to get one of the limited tickets, which were only available at 100. Among them were Marius (9) and his mother Elisa Bilow, who reported their experience with joy. Morten (9) and his father Nils Wernicke were also thrilled by the atmosphere that surrounded the special day.

City with mixed feelings

Although most of those present celebrated the honor and the great athlete, there were also critical voices. Some Greifswald residents were disappointed that only 1,000 people could take part in the ceremony and many therefore had to watch from behind the fence. Prime Minister Schwesig promised that a live stream would be made available to anyone interested. This afternoon it already had over 5,400 views. The city's support for Kroos was also evident in the market square, where fans formed the letters "TONI 8" to express their adoration.

The Greifswald University Medical Center thanked Kroos for his support of the children's clinic, which is particularly important for the region. As Kroos himself emphasized, hard work and training are crucial for young footballers, and his commitment should also motivate future generations.

In conclusion, Toni Kroos is not only an outstanding footballer, but also a role model who gives his hometown countless positive impulses. His social commitment and connection to Greifswald are reason for the honor, which will hold a special place in the hearts of many people.