Official: Toni Kroos announces retirement 

Real Madrid midfield maestro Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from professional football, set to take effect immediately after the Euros 2024.

Kroos made the announcement on Tuesday, amid rumours of renewing his contract at Madrid.

“As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club,” the 2014 World Cup said in a letter to the Los Blancos fans.

“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 who 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.”

“I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on 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!”

In the same vein, Madrid has also confirmed his departure, whilst thanking him for his ten-year service.

“Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home,” Madrid president Florentino Pérez said.

Kroos is set to play his last game against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1, having played a pivotal role as Madrid reached the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final,

The 34-year-old scored 84 goals and won 32 trophies in over 800 games for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Germany.

Toni Kroos' career by numbers:

◉ 729 club games
◉ 108 caps
◉ 84 career goals
◉ 32 trophies

Bayern honours:
◉ 3x Bundesliga
◉ 3x DFB-Pokal
◉ 1x DFL-Supercup
◉ 1x UEFA Champions League
◉ 1x UEFA Super Cup
◉ 1x FIFA Club World Cup

Real Madrid honours:
◉ 5x FIFA Club… pic.twitter.com/ncuvSdOpID

— Squawka (@Squawka) May 21, 2024