Toni Kroos joined Real Madrid because he was told he would play a central role on the club.

Kroos joined Carlo Ancelotti's team on a €25 million deal from Bayern Munich.

"It was important that I could be sure from the first day that the coach trusted me," Kroos told Suddeutsche Zeitung. "Ancelotti told me that he needed me and he has given me a central role in the team.

"He told me during a telephone conversation that I could make Real Madrid better.

"Ancelotti wanted a little bit more balance in the team’s play, a little bit more control. He told me that he wanted to further improve our play, that he wanted to change it, with the intention of having more phases with possession of the ball. And therefore, he told me that he needed me.

"I play as a midfielder, and ten yards further back than I did at Bayern; in reality, I am a ‘six’. The offensive game is not forgotten, but for now we can say that I am a No.6.

"Pep Guardiola told me at the beginning, ‘Toni, the good players move around during their career and each time further back.’ With Ancelotti I could follow that same path."