Official | Toni Kroos announces retirement after Euro 2024 | OneFootball

Real Madrid veteran Toni Kroos has announced that he will be retiring from football after this summer’s European Championship.

Kroos has cemented himself as a Los Blancos legend. During his stay in the Spanish capital, the 34-year-old has won four La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.

The German will be hoping he can have the perfect farewell at the beginning of June, when he has the chance to win one final trophy for Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

The midfielder announced his decision to hang up his boots on Instagram this afternoon. In an open letter to Madrid fans, Kroos reflected on his time at the club and thanked Madridistas for their support.

He said: “As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. 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. At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship.”

Carlo Ancelotti was hoping the German would stay for another year and sign a new one-year deal. However, Kroos reiterated his desire to finish his career at the peak of his performance level.

He added: “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!”

Rajan Sangha | GSFN