Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos pens emotional farewell message after retirement | OneFootball

Last night’s UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinal clash turned out to be the last match in the illustrious career of Toni Kroos.

One of the greatest modern-day midfielders, the 34-year-old called time on his career following Germany’s defeat and elimination from the Euros.

Having already brought an end to his club career with Real Madrid after the UEFA Champions League triumph, Kroos had hoped to bring the curtains down on his international career with silverware, but it was not to be.

Kroos says goodbye

After an emotionally charged night in Stuttgart on Friday, Kroos has taken to social media to bid farewell to the fans after having played the final match of his professional career.

The 34-year-old writes how his return to the German national team came about after he had already retired back in 2021 and how he feels it was the right decision to come back and play for Die Mannschaft again.

“My phone rang on 29/09/2023. The caller: Julian Nagelsmann. Request: Return to the national team. The first thought in my head: I’m not stupid! First thought in my heart: F*** yes! As we all know, it’s the heart that decides.”

“My first thought this morning on 6 July 2024: I’m glad I did it. Despite all the sadness and emptiness since the final whistle yesterday.”

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Kroos then went on to praise the German team who had been underperforming in recent big tournaments but showed up at the Euros this year.

“I’ve always seen more in the team than they’ve shown in recent years. But I didn’t expect it to be possible in such a short space of time to have a really realistic chance of winning the title and to be on par with the best again!

“That’s why I’m very proud of what this team has achieved! And the whole of Germany can be again.”

Thanks to the fans

Kroos then went on to thank the German fans for showing their support throughout the tournament and asked them to keep backing the national team, as he wrote:

“A special thank you to all of you out there who made this home European Championship a special one. We saw you, experienced you and felt you!

“On a personal level, I would like to thank you for the really special warmth and affection over the last few weeks. That was very special. And finally, a request: Now that Germany has won back its favourite child: don’t let it go! The journey of this team continues.

“And it helps brutally if you stand by it even in bad phases! Because I can assure you of one thing: this is a group of great people who are giving everything to be successful!Germany is who we are again!!!”

Concluding, Kroos also issued an apology to Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri who was unfortunately injured after a challenge from the German icon.