Toni Kroos announces he will RETIRE after Euro 2024 at the age of 34, as Real Madrid and Germany star brings a close to glittering career
- The 34-year-old joined the Spanish giants from Bayern Munich ten years ago
Toni Kroos has announced his retirement after ten years at Real Madrid, ahead of his club’s Champions League final at Wembley next month.
The Germany international is on the verge of quitting football altogether after competing in his own European Championships in June, and shared a poignant post announcing his decision on Instagram.
The 34-year-old said he was ‘happy and proud’ that the Spanish giants were his ‘last club’, and stressed his desire to finish on a high against Borussia Dortmund in Europe’s flagship competition.
Kroos will play his last LaLiga match of the season against Real Betis on Saturday, after Carlo Ancelotti’s team won the title with two weeks to play.
The midfielder took to social media to express his gratitude for spending the past decade at the BernabĆ©u and paid tribute to the club’s fans.
āJuly 17, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life,ā Kroos began.
‘My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the beginning of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, this chapter comes to an end at the end of the season. I’ll never forget that unashamedly successful time!
‘I would especially like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But above all, I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first to the last day.
‘At the same time, this decision means that my career as an active footballer ends this summer after the European Championship.
‘I am happy and proud that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it myself. It has always been my ambition to complete my career at the peak of my performance level.
‘From now on there is only one guiding thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID AND NADA MAS!’
