As Toni Kroos bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu for the last time on Saturday, both the players and the supporters gave the midfield star an emotional send-off that left him in tears.
After the European Championship, the Germany international will call it a career. The Champions League final is his last club match, which is scheduled for next week.
When Kroos signed from Bayern Munich for a meager £20 million in 2014—turning down Manchester United at the time to relocate to the Spanish capital—just a few thousand people attended his unveiling.
Kroos has won four league titles, the Copa del Rey, four Supercopas de Espanas, three UEFA Super Cups, five Club World Cups, an incredible four Champions League trophies, and a fifth European trophy is on the horizon during his illustrious career at the club.
Toni Kroos was emotional as he said farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening
Kroos was given a guard of honour by his Madrid team-mates and Real Betis players pre-match
All of his silverware achievements at Madrid were additionally put on display by the club
A huge tifo was erected in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu reading the words ‘thank you legend’
Before kickoff, Kroos appeared shocked when he entered Madrid’s brand-new, ultra-modern stadium. A tifo was set up in the stands, and his teammates and a Real Betis player formed a guard of honor for him.
‘Thank you legend’ and the number 22 were emblazoned over a massive banner of Kroos, which was constructed in reference to the titles he had won at the Spanish giants.
The team also displayed all of Kroos’s silverware accomplishments from Madrid, with Kroos posing with the abundance of trophies prior to kickoff.
After playing 87 minutes of the goalless draw, the former World Cup winner was replaced so that the audience could give him a standing ovation.
After being replaced, Kroos was overcome with sorrow as he picked up his daughter in the dugout. The two sobbed and gave each other a heartbreaking embrace.
Isco was among those in the grandstand, cheering on Kroos’ incredible career at the club along with a few of his former teammates from Real Madrid.
Kroos and his daughter burst into tears as he completed his final appearance in Spain
The Germany international was thrown into the air by his Madrid team-mates at the end of the game
It all proved to be too much for the usually steely Kroos as he was joined on the pitch by his family at full-time as he was joined by his family.
He occupied the centre circle with his two sons and daughter as Madrid stars and the club’s supporters turned the stadium into a cacophony of noise to celebrate one of their legends.
Tributes then piled in from his team-mates online with Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois posting on X: ‘It has been a very exciting day, especially seeing a legend say goodbye to his home. You deserve it.’
Kroos will make his final Madrid appearance next weekend when the Spanish giants travel to Wembley for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.