By playing in Monday’s draw with Real Sociedad, Toni Kroos became the German with the most appearances for Real Madrid, overtaking Uli Stielike with his 309th outing.
Celebrating the achievement, the midfielder spoke about how he is always looking to improve.
“I try to give my best in every game and every pass I make that doesn’t reach my teammate annoys me,” Kroos told Real Madrid TV.
“I try to strive for perfection in this sense, although you can never be perfect.
“I practice it and I’ve been working on it continuously for many years.”
Kroos also spoke about the German legends that have gone before him at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
“It’s something special,” he said.
“When you look at the Germans who have played here you realise that they are big names: [Gunter] Netzer, [Bernd] Schuster or Stielike.
“Overtaking Stielike, who is a club legend, makes me really happy. It’s a special record and I’m delighted to get to this point
“As I’ve always said, my idea is to retire here and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
In the interview, the 31-year-old also looked back on the beginning of his time at Real Madrid.
“I joined the club after becoming world champion in the summer of 2014,” said Kroos, reflecting on his debut against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.
“It was my first game and my first trophy. That’s not normal.
“Beginning like that at a club like Real Madrid is important.”
Kroos has gone on to win 13 trophies in a Real Madrid jersey and, asked to pick a favourite, opted for the 2018 Champions League.
“If you only win one trophy, it’s easier to choose,” Kroos said.
“But out of all of them, I’ll take the Champions League we won in Kiev because it was the only one I managed to celebrate with the whole family.
“In Cardiff, it was only with my son because my daughter was too young.”
Looking back on some other highlights from his Real Madrid career so far, Kroos recalled his goal straight from a corner against Valencia.
“I remember it really well,” he said.
“The opposition goalkeeper was off his line, talking to his teammates.
“We always have five, six or seven corners in games and it occurred to me to take advantage and do something special.
“It’s not difficult to score a goal like that, with that shot. What’s difficult is doing it at that moment, quickly and under pressure.”
There was also a mention for the boot-cleaning celebration with Sergio Ramos.
“I love that image,” he remarked.
“People know that me and Sergio have a great connection at corners or freekicks.
“You can see that in this celebration. He knows that he can’t do it alone and that he needs someone to play the ball to him.
“The image reflects recognition because in football you can’t score a goal on your own and you’re not going to win on your own. It’s always about a connection between players.”