Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from football, set to take place after Euro 2024 this summer. On his podcast, Kroos shared his decision, stating, “I really thought about it for a long time, a very, very long time, and in the past few days, I’ve come to a conviction, which is that this season, this wonderful season, the tenth season with Real, will also be my last season with Real.” He added, “For those who have been paying close attention to what I’ve said over the past few years, they might have come across the statement a few times that, for me, the only option is to end my career at Real Madrid.”
Kroos further explained the emotional weight of his decision, noting, “Thinking about it for a long time, as I am realizing right now, is significantly easier than saying it out loud. When you say something yourself and sit here with goosebumps, then it must be something special. And when you started playing football at the age of six and managed to keep it up until 34, especially when football was always the focal point, it’s just a very, very momentous decision and that’s why it doesn’t roll off the tongue so easily today. But the decision has been made and now I can understand the feeling of being very happy on one side and very sad on the other.”
Kroos’s last game for Real Madrid will be the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Internationally, he will have one final opportunity to represent Germany in a home European Championship at Euro 2024.
Throughout his 10-year tenure with Real Madrid, Kroos has enjoyed a highly successful career. He has won 4 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League trophies, 1 Copa del Rey, and 4 UEFA Super Cups. Kroos has been a crucial part of one of the best midfield trios in football, partnering with Luka Modric and Casemiro.
Before joining Real Madrid, Kroos played for Bayern Munich, where he was part of the treble-winning side in 2013. Additionally, he secured the double twice, in 2014 and 2008.
On the international stage, Kroos was a key player for the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup. Over his international career, he has earned 108 caps for Germany and is notably the last German player born in East Germany to represent the national team.
Toni Kroos’s impending retirement marks the end of an era for both Real Madrid and the German national team, concluding a remarkable and decorated football career.
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