A Giant Departs: Kroos to Retire From Football After EURO 2024

The legendary German midfielder Toni Kroos of Real Madrid revealed on Tuesday that he will be retiring from all football-related activities following the 2024 European Championship, adding to the growing number of farewells in the game these days.

Moreover, the master of midfield stated that his final match for Real Madrid will be the UEFA Champions League Final vs Borussia Dortmund.

In addition to winning the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014, Kroos' illustrious career includes a total of five UEFA Champions League wins between Real Madrid and his previous club Bayern Munich.

The 34-year-old, World Cup-winning German player from 2014, said on Instagram that "my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship."

The German was lured to Madrid in 2014 to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he went on to become one of the greatest midfielders in history with the help of players like his new midfield partner-in-crime, Luka Modric.

Real Madrid declared that Kroos "will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football's greatest legends" in a statement posted on their website.

Kroos has thought about retirement on occasion before; in 2021, he submitted his name for retirement from international service. This year, however, he made a stunning comeback for Germany in time for the EURO 2024.

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann, who is tasked with rebuilding the historically successful team that has underperformed on the big stage in recent times, requested that the midfielder, who has not played for the national team in the last three years due to their Euro exit, return to the squad.

"I always wanted to end my career performing at the highest possible level."

Real Madrid is and will always be my last club, as I have always stated. In his Instagram post, Kroos said, "I am happy and proud that I could choose it by myself and that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision."