Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos will retire from professional football after Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old has enjoyed a trophy-laden career with Real since he joined them from Bavarian champions Bayern Munich in July 2014, winning both La Liga and the Champions League on four occasions.
He could win his sixth UCL trophy later this month (making him have more Champions League trophies than Classico rivals FC Barcelona) when Madrid go one on one with Borussia Dortmund.
Kroos was also part of the Germany team which won the World Cup in 2014.
He quit international football in July 2021 but came out of retirement in February after having convincing talks with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Kroos said in a post on his Instagram account., external “My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level,”
“I am happy and proud that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own.”
Kroos made his debut for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga aged 17 in September 2007 and went on to win the first of three German league titles that season.
RELATED POST
- Magic in Madrid as Bayern Crumbles at the Bernabeu
- Endrick: Future of Madrid, Brazil
- Madrid Clinches 36th LaLiga Title
He was also part of the Bayern squad which won the Champions League in 2013, though did not play in the final.
Kroos said that the day he signed for Real “changed his life as a footballer but especially as a person” and his “only thought” now is to help Los Blancos to a 15th UEFA Champions League triumph.
Real face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on 1 June.
He went on to say “I have always said Real Madrid is and will be my last club,”
“After 10 years at the end of season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget this successful time.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez added: “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and will always be his home.”
Germany play Scotland in the opening game of Euro 2024 on 14 June at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
