Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has announced his retirement, as the German midfielder will hang up his boots after Euro 2024. The 2014 World Cup winner had announced his international retirement few years ago, but came out of his retirement few months back, and now, the whole of footballing world is in utter shock, as one of the greats of the modern era will call it a day post Euro's.
The announcement was made via the official Instagram account of Toni Kroos on Tuesday, May 21, as the German had a heartwarming message for his beloved and current club Real Madrid, which ended with the legendary slogan "Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas".
"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," read the caption on Toni Kroos' retirement post.
"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," added Kroos, stating his exact day of retirement, which will be Germany's last Euro 2024 fixture.
"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!," read the end of the caption.
Real Madrid's Official Club Statement On Toni Kroos
After Toni Kroos' announcement, Real Madrid issued an official club statement confirming his departure at the end of the season and the club thanked the legend for his iconic services throughout the span of 10 years.
"Real Madrid CF confirms Toni Kroos has decided to bring an end to his time as a professional footballer following Euro 2024. Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football's greatest legends," read the starting of the statement.
"Toni Kroos arrived at the club in 2014 and has been a key player in one of the most successful periods of Real Madrid's 122-year history. Over the course of ten seasons playing in our colours, he has won 22 titles in his 463 appearances: 4 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 4 Spanish Super Cups," added the statement.
The following was later on added in the statement released:
"As well as his successes with Real Madrid, Toni Kroos was crowned world champion with the German National Team at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. With Bayern Munich, he won 1 European Cup, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 3 Bundesliga titles , 3 German Cups and 2 German Super Cups."
"On an individual level, Toni Kroos has been named in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 on three occasions. He was also voted Best Playmaker in 2014 by the IFFHS and picked up the Golden Ball as the best player at the U17 World Cup in Korea back in 2007. Toni Kroos will remain forever in the hearts of every madridista thanks to his mastery of the game and the fact he has given his all for our jersey, a steady example of the values of Real Madrid."
"Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has said that, “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home." Real Madrid wishes he and his family the best of luck in this new chapter of his life," read the closing statement.