Real Madrid star admits he was left ‘hurt’ watching Toni Kroos’ final game | OneFootball

A leading member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid has on Tuesday opened on the difficult he faced, in watching Toni Kroos take to the pitch for the very last time.

Engine room icon Kroos, of course, brought the curtain down on a legendary career last week.

As much came on the international stage, in Germany’s Euro 2024 defeat at the hands of Spain.

After coming to the decision not to renew his contract terms with the aforementioned Real Madrid, the Euros marked the 34-year-old’s very last commitment in the professional game, ultimately coming to a close at the quarter-final stage.

Fans across the globe were quick to make their appreciation for Kroos clear in the game’s aftermath, with the German widely considered to be one of the very best midfielders of his generation.

More than a few tears were shed, too, with one of those to have been left most outwardly emotional by last Friday’s matchup having come in the form of Federico Valverde.

Blancos standout Valverde has never hidden the fact that he considers Kroos not only an idol, but a close friend, too.

Drawn on his now-former teammate’s final appearance by the media whilst on international duty with Uruguay this week, the 25-year-old in turn admitted that:

“As a football lover and a Toni Kroos fan, his last game really hurt me.”

Conor Laird | GSFN