Toni Kroos has officially announced his decision to retire from soccer at the end of the current season. The news has surprised Real Madrid and its fans as well as the whole soccer world who were expecting Kroos to continue playing at the top level. The German’s contract with the club was set to expire in June of this year, and the contract situation was well covered in the media with all eagerly awaiting the outcome.
🚨 BREAKING: Toni Kroos RETIRES.
He’s leaving Real Madrid and retiring right after Euro 2024.
Legend. 🎩✨ pic.twitter.com/OwfQEy5GD5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 21, 2024
The former Bayern Munich man is well renowned for being one of the best midfielders on the planet. He is widely regarded as the best passer of all time. With his primary position being in central midfield, Kroos has also often been deployed as a holding midfielder owing to his ability to control the rhythm and the pace of the game. Toni Kroos’ technique, precision, accuracy, and creativity have allowed him to dominate the game for a long period.
Toni Kroos career achievements
Playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world, Toni Kroos has never been far away from accolades, both individually as well as team trophies. He was an integral part of the Bayern Munich team under Jupp Heynckes who won a historic European treble. Kroos then also contributed heavily to Real Madrid’s dominance in European competitions under Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. He averages a trophy every 21 games with Real Madrid. Here are some of the honors that Kroos will end his career with.
- 1x FIFA World Cup
- 5x UEFA Champions League
- 4x La Liga
- 3x Bundesliga
- 1x Copa del Rey
- 3x DFB-Pokal
- 4x UEFA Super Cup
- 6x FIFA Club World Cup
- 4x Spanish Super Cup
- 1x German Super Cup
Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 and went on to establish himself as the greatest-ever German player to play for the club. He has always expressed his desire to end his career playing for Los Blancos. Real Madrid will surely find a hard time replacing the midfielder whose unique style of play saw him dominate every competition he played in both for club and country.
The 34-year-old has always been vocal about his desire to retire from professional soccer while still operating at the highest level. Kroos has enjoyed one of the finest seasons in his career with Real Madrid this campaign. This has led to the German legend deciding against continuing his career further. Toni Kroos’ last game with the club will be against Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final.
Kroos is set to retire after the Euros
Toni Kroos took back his retirement from international soccer earlier this year having left the German National Team after the 2021 UEFA Euros. Germany and Kroos did not enjoy the best of tournaments in 2021 which contributed to Kroos’ decision. Over his career, the 34-year-old has participated in three European Championships. However, the Euros remains the one piece of silverware missing from his trophy cabinet.
OFFICIAL:
Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos will retire from football after #EURO2024
One of Germany’s most clutch players. ⚽️🎯pic.twitter.com/uoPzs4xytS
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 21, 2024
Germany will be hosting the upcoming UEFA Euros. This will provide Toni Kroos with the best opportunity to close out his career on the highest possible note. After leaving the national team on a bitter note in 2021, Kroos has returned to be a part of a re-energized German side. Led by Julian Nagelsmann, Germany is considered among the favorites to lift the trophy in July. With the Euros being Kroos’ last-ever stint as a professional soccer player, he and his team will be eager to make it a successful one.