Prior to his team’s Champions League final at Wembley next month, Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from Real Madrid after ten years of service.
The Germany international announced his decision to retire from football on Instagram with a heartfelt letter, following his participation in his home European Championships in June.
The 34-year-old emphasized his wish to go on a high note against Borussia Dortmund in Europe’s premier competition, saying he was “happy and proud” that the Spanish powerhouses were “his last club.”
With two weeks remaining in the season, Carlo Ancelotti’s team secured the title, and on Saturday, Kroos will play his last La Liga match of the year against Real Betis.
The midfield player thanked the club’s supporters on social media and expressed his gratitude for spending the last ten years at the Bernabeu.
Toni Kroos will wave goodbye to Real Madrid after their Champions League final on June 1
The Germany national team star will retire from football altogether following this summer’s Euro 2024 on home soil
The 34-year-old began playing for Los Blancos ten years ago and has experienced incredible success ever since.
“The day that changed my life was July 17, 2014, the day I gave my presentation at Real Madrid,” Kroos said at the outset.
“My football career, but more importantly, my personal life.” At the largest club in the world, it was the beginning of a new era. This story ends at the end of the season, ten years later. I’ll never forget that arrogant period of triumph!
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who trusted me and showed me such warmth. I want to thank you, Madridistas, in particular, for your love and affection from the first to the last day.
In addition, this choice means that I will not be playing football after the Euro championship this summer.
“I am pleased and proud that I was able to make my own choice and that I was able to determine the appropriate moment for my decision in my mind.” My goal has always been to end my career performing at my highest capacity.
There is only one main idea going forward: a por la 15! NADA MAS Y HALA MADRID!
Kroos has won four league titles, the Copa del Rey, four Supercopas de Espanas, three UEFA Super Cups, five Club World Cups, and an incredible four Champions League trophies throughout his illustrious career with the club.
The 2014 World Cup winner has won scores of trophies and individual honours with Real
Kroos is his club’s second-highest currently-serving appearance-maker, behind team-mate Luka Modrid (right)
Real Madrid won the league championship in his last season, capping an outstanding performance.
On June 1, in the English city, the 2014 World Cup winner will try to make it five, with Real Madrid strongly favored against Bundesliga team Dortmund.
With 463 appearances under his belt, Kroos is the second-highest player still in the team behind teammate Luka Modric, having scored 28 goals and dishing out 98 assists, ranking 17th in club history.
Real Madrid ‘expressed appreciation’ to Kroos for his tenure and declared that the player will ‘go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends’ in an official statement following the player’s decision.
“Due to his skill at the game and his unwavering devotion to the Real Madrid jersey, Toni Kroos will always hold a special place in the hearts of all Madrid supporters,” the statement continued.
The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, paid his own homage, saying, “This club will always be home to Tony Kroos, one of the greatest players in Real Madrid history.”
On social media, his former teammate Gareth Bale wished him well, tweeting, “Congratulations (Toni Kroos) on an amazing career.” It’s a pleasure to play with you.
Florentino Perez (pictured with Kroos in 2014) paid tribute to a club legend in the making
Kroos arrived at Madrid during current head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s first spell in charge
The veteran has helped stabilise a squad rife with young talent such as Jude Bellingham
The international previously retired from his national team in 2021, but came out of retirement
Prior to their home Euros in 2024, Kroos teamed up with new head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
With 32 league appearances and nine goal contributions this season, Kroos has been a vital part of Real Madrid’s championship-winning triumph.
He reclaimed the mantle at the international level thanks to his improved form. He had initially retired in 2021 after Germany’s Euro 2020 campaign.
Though the midfielder has worn the armband in the past, Kroos was included in head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s provisional roster for the club’s forthcoming campaign. However, it is unlikely that the player would replace Ilkay Gundogan as captain of the national team.
On June 14, Germany will kick off their campaign against Scotland. Coming into the tournament, two years after their disappointing performance at the World Cup in Qatar, Germany is one of the favorites.