Toni Kroos announces retirement from football

Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos has sparked a wave of reactions when he announced on Tuesday his decision to retire after this year’s Euro 2024 tournament.The 34 year old German international who had previously retired from international football before being convinced otherwise by the German national team coach, Julian Nagelsmann is set to make June Euro cup his last.In his statement, he said: “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, 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”.“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!”The world cup winner who has won over 20 trophies in his career will play his final clubmatch against Dortmund at the Wembley stadium next month, June 1.In a another statement, Real Madrid express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos and also wished him luck saying “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.”“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 steadfast 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,” the statement concluded.