Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from football, effective after Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Kroos confirmed his decision on Tuesday through an emotional Instagram statement.
“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,” Kroos wrote.
“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!”
Kroos’ illustrious career includes numerous titles. At Bayern Munich, he won the Champions League, three Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals, the DFL-Supercup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2014, he has added four Champions League titles, four La Liga titles (including this season), the Copa del Rey, four Supercopa de España titles (including this season), three UEFA Super Cups, and five FIFA Club World Cups.