JAKARTA - Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos will retire. Through Instagram, Kroos announced his hanging up his boots after Euro 2024.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is still worried about whether to keep Kroos or support the club's move to let go of veterans.
Madrid will not renew Luka Modric's contract, Kroos' colleague, who is also one of the highly respected players in the dressing room. Captain Nacho Fernandez will also be released by Los Merengues.
When Ancelotti was still hit by uncertainty, Kroos had given a firm answer. He will retire after the European Cup. Kroos didn't want to leave the football midfielder when he was no longer needed.
He wants to close a career like the typical character of the 34-year-old midfielder's game, which is to step down at the right time, completely under his control.
And, Kroos himself decided. A few footballers can do it. When Kroos retired, it was entirely his decision with careful consideration.
The Champions League final match against Borussia Dortmund is the last for Kroos in Madrid. After the Champions League, he will still strengthen Germany at Euro 2024 which will be held in his own country.
"My career as an active footballer will end after the European Cup. As I said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club," Kroos said on his Instagram account.
"On July 17, 2014 was the day I was introduced at Real Madrid. The day that changed my life. My life as a footballer, and especially as a person," he said.
Kroos, who led Germany to become the champion in the 2014 DUa Cup, did not expect to last long in the biggest club on earth. He even spent 10 years playing at the highest level.
"I started a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, part of the end has arrived. I will never forget a decade full of success and very impressive," he said.
Kroos has played 463 times since joining Los Blancos in 2014 or after bringing Germany to the World Cup. He also confirmed himself as one of the most prominent players in the 120 years of club history.
The player, who has a cap 107, won more than 20 trophies, including four Champions League champions. In the last year in Madrid, he led him to win La Liga Spain and the Spanish Super Cup. Kroos has the chance to win the Champions League for the fifth time with Madrid.
While still playing at Bayern Munich, he also brought the German Bundesliga giant to win the Champions League.
"I would like to thank anyone who has welcomed me warmly and accepted me completely," he said.
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"I specifically thank you, supporters, Madridistas, for your support and love from the first day I arrived until the last day," he said.
Madrid also thanked Kroos for Kroos' dedication and contribution to the club. "Toni Kroos is forever in Madridistas' hearts for his excellent contribution to football. He has given everything to the club and has always shown values from Real Madrid," the club said in a statement.
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