Toni Kroos announced on Tuesday that he will leave Real Madrid and retire from football after Euro 2024.
The 34-year-old Germany international has had an illustrious career, winning the 2014 World Cup, three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, four LaLiga titles with Real Madrid, and five Champions League titles with both clubs.
The final club game of his career will be this season’s Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
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Real Madrid Bids Farewell to Club Legend Toni Kroos
Real Madrid has shared the following statement following his decision:
“Real Madrid CF announces that Toni Kroos has decided to end his career as a professional football player after Euro 2024.
Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who is already part of the history of Real Madrid and who is one of the great legends of our club and world football.
Toni Kroos arrived at our club in 2014, and has been a fundamental player in one of the most successful periods in the 122-year history of Real Madrid. During the ten seasons in which he has defended our shirt and our shield, he has won 22 titles in 463 games to date: 4 European Cups, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 4 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 4 Super Cups from Spain.
In addition to his titles with Real Madrid, Toni Kroos became world champion with the German team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
With Bayern Munich, he won 1 European Cup, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 3 Bundesliga, 3 German Cups and 2 German Super Cups.
At an individual level, Toni Kroos has been included in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 team three times, was named the Best Playmaker in 2014 by the IFFHS and won the Golden Ball as best player at the 2007 U-17 World Cup in Korea.
Toni Kroos will forever remain in the hearts of all Madrid fans for the excellence of his football and for being a player who has given everything for this shirt, always representing the values of Real Madrid.
The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, states that “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and will always be his home.”
Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage of his life.”
Toni Kroos Announces Retirement: A Farewell to Real Madrid and the Beautiful Game
Toni Kroos has confirmed his decision in an emotional statement on Instagram, which reads: “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 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. 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: go for 15!!! HALA MADRID AND NOTHING MORE!“
It was reported earlier this month that Kroos was close to agreeing to a contract extension at Real Madrid, which would have kept him at Santiago Bernabeu for the 2024-25 season. However, the 34-year-old has now confirmed he will retire from professional football, with his final appearance set to be at this summer’s European Championship on home soil.
True to his word, Kroos is departing at the pinnacle of his career. The 2023-24 season stands out as one of his finest, showcasing his enduring prowess and potential to remain a pivotal figure and undisputed starter for Real Madrid in the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, Kroos’ choice reflects remarkable maturity. Opting to bow out while still at the summit underscores his commitment to leaving the game untarnished by decline, sparing Real Madrid fans the sight of his diminishing abilities.
Kroos not only ranks among the elite midfielders in club annals but also holds a place among the sport’s all-time greats—a figure of transcendent influence.
Since joining from Bayern Munich in 2014, Kroos has won a total of 21 trophies with Real Madrid, including four Champions League titles and four La Liga titles. He will have the chance to add to his European achievements when Real faces Borussia Dortmund in this season’s Champions League final on June 1, which will be his last game in the iconic white shirt.
Kroos will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Real’s history, having scored 28 goals and provided 98 assists in 463 appearances across all competitions for the club. The veteran midfielder has also enjoyed significant success on the international stage, winning the World Cup in 2014. He aims to end his career on a high note by representing Germany at the Euros, with Julian Nagelsmann’s team set to start their campaign against Scotland on June 14.
But I’d like to quote one of my favorite sports media person, Kiyan Sobbani from Managing Madrid about Toni Kroos leaving because that sums up perfectly the type of player and person Kroos is- “
There was part of me that wanted Toni Kroos to be a bit mortal this season. To have bad games, bad moments. Only because he wouldn’t be on top — where he wanted to be when he retired, so he’d force himself to play 1 more season.
But he is on top, where he wanted to be when he retired. The best passer in football history. A top-5 CM all time. Irreplaceable.”
