Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football following Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign.
The 34-year-old midfielder confirmed his decision in an emotional statement posted on Instagram, marking the end of an era for one of the most decorated players in modern football.
Earlier this month, reports suggested that Kroos was close to agreeing on a contract extension with Real Madrid, which would have seen him continue at the Santiago Bernabeu for the 2024/25 season.
However, Kroos has decided to hang up his boots, choosing to make his final bow on home soil at the upcoming European Championship.
“July 17th, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end,” Toni Kroos confirmed.
“I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one. At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club.
“I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: go for 15!!! HALA MADRID AND NOTHING MORE!”
Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and has since enjoyed a trophy-laden decade with Los Blancos. His honours include four Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, and a total of 21 trophies.
🤍🎱 @ToniKroos 🤍🎱#Kroos2024 pic.twitter.com/JcJcFWcf06
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 21, 2023
Known for his exceptional vision, passing accuracy, and composure, Kroos has been a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield.
The German international will have one last opportunity to add to his European haul when Real Madrid faces Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on June 1. This match will mark Kroos’s final appearance in the famous white shirt of Real Madrid.
As Toni Kroos prepares to bid farewell to his club career, fans and teammates alike will celebrate the legacy of a player who has left an indelible mark on football. His decision to retire at the peak of his performance is a testament to his commitment to excellence and his desire to leave the sport on his terms.
