Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, is preparing for his last appearance with the Spanish giants at Wembley on June 1, where they will face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Following this match, Kroos will represent Germany in Euro 2024, held on home soil for Die Mannschaft.
Kroos and Real Madrid have mutually decided to part ways upon the expiration of his contract this summer. He has announced that this decision has led him to make an unexpected early retirement from professional football.
Taking to his Instagram account, the 34-year-old wrote, “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, 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 European 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: a por la 15!!”
Kroos rose through the ranks at Bayern Munich, securing three league and cup doubles before transferring to Real Madrid in 2014, shortly after winning the World Cup with Germany.
In Madrid, he has played a crucial role in achieving four Champions League titles—a number that could still grow this season—and four LaLiga championships.
Real president Florentino Perez said, “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.”
