Promising midfielder Toni Kroos could be the next Michael Ballack, according to Germany and Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer. Kroos, who is on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Bayern, has been in scintillating form in the Bundesliga so far, scoring six goals for the current leaders. "Toni Kroos has been the man of the season so far. I've always had the feeling that he could be the next Michael Ballack and he's certainly living up the expectations," Beckenbauer told Bild. "I wouldn't be really surprised if (Germany coach) Joachim Low takes him to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."