Toni Kroos to Retire After European Championship

Toni Kroos is saying goodbye to football. One of the greatest midfielders of this era, he will conclude his career with a memorable finale: his last match for Real Madrid will be the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, followed by leading Germany in the home European Championship (after coach Nagelsmann persuaded him to return to the national team in March).

The news was shared via Real’s social media: “I’ve realized that thinking about it for a long time is much easier than saying it. When you say something in person and you sit here and get goosebumps, it should be special.

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 ‼️

Toni Kroos has announced he will officially retire from football after the 2024 UEFA European Championship, saying he always wanted to finish his career at the peak of his performance levels. pic.twitter.com/rdoUF8FDgW
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) May 21, 2024

If, like me, you started playing football at the age of six and continued until 34, then it’s simply a very, very important decision, especially if football has always been the center of your life. That’s why it’s not so easy to say today. But the decision has been made,” Kroos explained. “Now I understand this feeling of being very happy on one hand and very sad on the other.”

The Triumphs of Kroos

Kroos boasts a trophy collection that few players in the world can match:

5 Champions League titles (4 with Real Madrid, 1 with Bayern Munich),
5 UEFA Super Cups like Paolo Maldini (4 with the Spanish club and 1 with the German team), and
6 Club World Cups (5 with Real Madrid, 1 with Bayern). On the domestic front, he has won,
4 La Liga titles and 3 Bundesliga titles, along with many other national honors. In 2014, he became a World Cup champion with Germany in Brazil.

Toni Kroos’s impending retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that has left an indelible mark on football. From his early days at Bayern Munich to his stellar tenure at Real Madrid, Toni Kroos has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership on the field.

His final matches, including the Champions League final and the European Championship with Germany, will serve as fitting tributes to his remarkable contributions to the sport. As he steps away from professional football, Kroos leaves behind a legacy of excellence and a benchmark for future generations of midfielders.