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Real Madrid’s German midfielder Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football following the Euro 2024 tournament. The 34-year-old World Cup winner made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
“My career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship,” Kroos wrote.
Before the European Championship, Kroos has the opportunity to secure his fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid, as they face Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1. He previously won the Champions League with Bayern Munich before transferring to the Spanish giants in 2014, where he quickly established a formidable midfield partnership with Luka Modric.
In a statement on their website, Real Madrid hailed Kroos as “one of our club and international football’s greatest legends.” Kroos has also clinched the Liga title four times during his tenure at the club.
Kroos initially retired from international football in July 2021 but reversed his decision in February after discussions with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, agreeing to play until Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany.
“My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level,” Kroos stated on Instagram. “I am happy and proud that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own.”
Kroos was instrumental in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory in Brazil, notably scoring twice in the 7-1 semi-final demolition of the host nation. However, four years later, he could not prevent Germany’s early exit in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
