Toni Kroos has officially retired from football. The legendary Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder leaves with a glittering medal collection, but he will not count a European Championship win among his stunning list of achievements. After Mikel Merino’s late winner for Spain, Euro 2024 hosts Germany are out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, but Kroos is optimistic for the future.
Legendary midfielder Toni Kroos lauded his Germany team-mates after playing his final match in professional football.
Spain’s 2-1 extra-time win over the Euro 2024 hosts in the quarter-final brought the curtain down on a glittering career for the Real Madrid stalwart.
Kroos had previously announced his retirement from the sport at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, having just won a UEFA Champions League and La Liga double with Los Blancos.
And despite the heart-breaking defeat, Mikel Merino heading in the winner in the 119th minute, the 34-year-old insists the future is bright for Germany.
“Every game could be my last game for a few weeks now, but today really is the last game, and I’m proud of our team,” Kroos told AP.
“We’ve really taken a step forward if you look into the last five or six months, how the team was then and how it is now, fighting against the best.
“This team has a great future, we have great players. I hope they’ll keep growing. I’ll see them on TV.”
Kroos racked up awards and trophies in his 17-year senior career, including three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and four with Real Madrid.
The metronomic midfielder leaves football with six Champions League triumphs and a World Cup winners medal.
Compatriot Joshua Kimmich went so far as to say that he is Germany’s greatest player, or at least their most successful.
“I want to thank Toni [Kroos],” said Kimmich. “Unfortunately, it was his last game. Unfortunately, we were defeated.
“But we still celebrate his titles and records, and it would have been great to win this title with him.
