Real Madrid icon Toni Kroos retires aged 34 after glittering career and will play for Germany at Euro 2024 as free agent
TONI KROOS is set to retire from football after the Euros.
The German midfielder has not been offered a new contract at Real Madrid and will hang up his boots.
Kroos, 34, announced his decision to retire in a heartfelt message on Instagram.
In the post, he insisted that Real Madrid would always be his “last club”.
He also claimed that he wanted to finish his career at the “peak of his performance levels.”
Kroos enjoyed a fine season with Real Madrid as he helped them to the LaLiga title and the Champions League final.
He will be in the team to take on Borussia Dortmund as the club aims to win their 15th title in the competition on June 1.
The midfielder will also have the chance to win the Euros with Germany this summer before finally calling time on his career.
Fans have been left devastated by the news as they reacted on social media.
One wrote: “Worst day of my life.”
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Toni Kroos' emotional goodbye
Here is Toni Kroos' emotional goodbye to football that he posted on Instagram.
He wrote: “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. 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.
“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!”
A second commented: “One of the best we’ve ever seen.”
A third posted: “What a career and what a player!”
A fourth said: “WHATTTT, MENTAL.”
Another added: “End of an era… Wish he should have stayed for one more season.”
A statement from Real Madrid read: “Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos.
“A player who is already part of the history of Real Madrid and who is one of the great legends of our club and world football.”
Club president Florentino Perez added: “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and will always be his home.”
The LaLiga giants were recently linked with a move to sign Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister to replace the legend.
Kroos started his career at Bayern Munich in 2007 and helped the club to the Champions League title and three Bundesliga titles.
He had a loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen between 2009 and 2010.
He joined Real Madrid in 2014 and became a crucial member of the team that went on to win four Champions League titles.
He won the World Cup with Germany having helped the team to the title in 2014.
Kroos' career by numbers
Here is a look at Toni Kroos' career stats...
Club career:
Bayern Munich (2007-20014)
- Games: 205
- Goals: 24
- Assists: 49
Bayer Leverkusen (Loan 2009-2010)
- Games: 48
- Goals: 10
- Assists: 13
Real Madrid (2014-2024)
- Games: 463
- Goals: 38
- Assists: 98
International career:
Germany (2010-2024)
- Caps: 108
- Goals: 17
- Honours: World Cup x1
Honours:
Bundesliga x3, DFB-Pokal x3, DFL Supercup x1, LaLiga x4, Copa del Rey x1, Supercopa de Espana x4, Champions League x5, Uefa Super Cup x4, Fifa Club World Cup x6
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