Toni Kroos announces retirement from professional football
Real Madrid and Germany’s Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from professional football after the conclusion of the Euros tournament.
The retirement comes as a surprise to the football fraternity, as it was reported that he, along with midfield partner Luka Modric, would pen a contract extension at the Santiago Bernabeu.
His final club career game could see him lift an extraordinary sixth Champions League crown, as Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund in the final on the 1st of June.
“July 17th, 2014 — the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life,” Kroos posted on his Instagram handle.
“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.”
The 34-year-old will leave Real Madrid and club football as one of the most decorated footballers, having lifted four La Liga trophies, along with 17 other team accomplishments.
All of that goes along with the three Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals, and one UCL, Super Cup, Club World Cup and DFL-Supercup apiece he won at Bayern Munich.
But Kroos made his love for Madrid clear in his message, without mentioning any other team he represented, adding “At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European 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.”
Like many greats of the sport, Kroos retires at the top of his game. He’s been imperious for Los Blancos again this season, recording a goal and nine assists. Most prominently, the FIFA World Cup winner is still miles ahead of his counterparts, as evidenced by his footballing intelligence on the pitch and a pass success rate of 94.6% this term.
Kroos will take the final bow at Euro 2024. Germany hosts Scotland at the Allianz Arena – Kroos’ old stomping ground – on June 14th.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: DSanchez17. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.