‘We hope to retire Toni Kroos’ – Joselu not holding back ahead of Spain vs Germany | OneFootball

With only eight teams remaining in the UEFA Euro 2024, anticipation is building and excitement among fans is reaching fever pitch.

One of the most closely followed match-ups is bound to be the quarter-final clash between Germany and Spain.

Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger are the only current Real Madrid players taking part, while former stars like Joselu, Nacho Fernandez, and Toni Kroos, who recently left the club, will also be involved.

Joselu does not hold back

Ahead of the encounter, Joselu analyzed Friday’s Euro quarter-final, reflecting on his former teammate Toni Kroos, who will hang up his boots after the tournament.

“Germany is a great team, also a strong favourite to win the title. We hope to retire Toni Kroos on Friday.

“It has been a pleasure to play with him, he reflects everything that Real Madrid is, all the values ​​of the club,” Joselu bluntly professed via Mundo Deportivo.

However, the veteran striker acknowledged Kroos’ talents, claiming he played a critical role in the dressing room at Real Madrid.

“He has been a teammate, a friend in the dressing room, I have received a lot of advice from him, I have spoken with him a lot and it has been a pleasure for me,” Joselu noted.

“He is a key player for the German national team and he has been for Real Madrid. We have to keep a close eye on him on Friday,” he said.

Joselu and Kroos will face at the Euros. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

While he expressed sadness over this potentially being Kroos’ last game ever, he emphasizes the importance of believing in themselves as a team and hoping for a victory.

“We have to believe in ourselves and we don’t want to hurt any player from another team, least of all Toni,” he added.

“I love him, I will always believe in him, but I think that Friday is his last game. It’s a shame that we have to say goodbye to Toni like this, but I hope that on Friday we win and it is his last game, for our own good.”

Facing Rudiger will not be easy

Additionally, Joselu admitted facing off against Antonio Rudiger will be a tough ask and claimed he is an integral part of the German national team.

“I spoke to him the other day. I had a few words. I don’t think he’s in a good mood when they face  Spain. He’s fundamental as a centre-back,” he remarked.

“He’s been a reflection of what we’ve achieved. It’s going to be a very tough battle on the pitch and it could be very dangerous.”

On his departure from Real Madrid

The 34-year-old enjoyed a solid campaign in the Spanish capital, prompting the Merengues to extend his stay.

However, he opted to depart last week due to the arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, which would increase competition for playing time.

“It is the right time to take that step. I would like to thank Madrid, the president, and José Ángel for all their involvement in making the operation possible. It has been an incredible season at the club,” he remarked.

“The role was not going to be the same as last year. I am going to a good country, to a city that is very good for the well-being of my family.

“It is the perfect moment. I did not want to go to another European club to try something that cannot be achieved by doing it at Real Madrid. I have fulfilled a dream by being in the first team and winning the Champions League,” Joselu concluded.