Toni Kroos announces retirement as Real Madrid and Germany legend releases statement
Real Madrid and Germany star Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football after Euro 2024.
The midfielder, 34, had been in discussions over a new deal with Real Madrid, but after failing to come to an agreement he has decided to walk away from football entirely this summer, stating that he couldn't play for another club.
After joining from Bayern Munich in 2014, Kroos - who won the World Cup with Germany that same year - won four Champions League and four La Liga titles with Real Madrid, while also he won the Bundesliga three times and the Champions League while at Bayern Munich.
In a surprise announcement on Instagram, Kroos said: "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. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone that 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.
Kroos has lifted the Champions League trophy on five occasions, and could soon make that six
"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: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!"
Kroos will be part of the Germany squad at Euro 2024 this summer
As he referred to at the end of his statement, Kroos will be part of the Real Madrid squad which seeks to win the club's 15th European Cup/Champions League crown in the final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1.
He will then be part of Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad for their hosting of the Euros in the summer, when he will bid to add that trophy to his remarkable collection.
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