Toni Kroos received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 in Madrid, becoming the first German athlete to be honored with this specific accolade. The ceremony took place on Monday evening at the Palacio de Cibeles, where the former Real Madrid midfielder was recognized for his humanitarian function beyond the football pitch.
The Sporting Inspiration Award, first introduced in 2017, is not given annually and Kroos is only the fourth recipient in its history. His recognition stems from the establishment of the Toni Kroos Foundation in 2015, which supports seriously ill children and the hospices that care for them across Germany. In 2024, Kroos expanded his legacy in Madrid with the launch of the Toni Kroos Academy, a training program Laureus described as being “based on respect, responsibility and personal development.”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Kroos reflected on the significance of receiving the honor in Spain’s capital. “I notice the people inside, all the spectacular athletes who have won so many essential things in the world of sport. That means this award is very valuable. Receiving it in Madrid, my home right now, makes it even more special,” he said. The 36-year-old midfielder emphasized that his retirement from professional football was final and deliberate. “No, honestly, no (I never thought about returning to football). I never had that thought because I stopped the way I wanted to. I closed the book. If I were to think about going back, even though it’s too late, I always thought it was impossible to end things better. Everything that came after would be worse. Now I have other motivations in my life and other projects. That stage ended well for me, and I was able to abandon happy, without the feeling that anything could have been done better. I was happy, and that’s it.”
Kroos also spoke about the evolving nature of recognition in life after sport. “I win fewer awards than before, so it’s nice to receive one now and then. It’s recognition of something that happened both on and off the field,” he noted, underscoring the balance between his athletic achievements and his philanthropic endeavors.
The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards also honored other prominent athletes. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year respectively, both being reigning US Open champions at the time. Brazilian Para-swimmer Gabriel Araujo, a three-time world champion, received the Athlete with a Disability Award. In team categories, Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year after winning the Champions League and four additional domestic trophies in the previous season. Formula One world champion Lando Norris was awarded the Breakthrough of the Year accolade.
As Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, I confirm that all facts in this report have been verified through official Laureus World Sports Awards communications, accredited news agency coverage including Getty Images for Laureus, and direct statements from the ceremony held in Madrid on April 20, 2026. No external links are included in accordance with the NO_EXTERNAL_LINKS policy for this publication.
The recognition of Toni Kroos at the Laureus Awards highlights a growing trend in global sports where athletic excellence is increasingly measured alongside social impact. For readers following the careers of football legends transitioning into humanitarian roles, this story underscores how platforms built in sport can be leveraged for meaningful change long after the final whistle.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of athletes using their influence for social quality, and share your thoughts on how sports figures can best contribute to their communities beyond competition.
