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Toni Kroos of Germany looks on in the friendly against the Netherlands in in Frankfurt, Germany, March 26, 2024. /CFP
FIFA World Cup champion midfielder Tony Kroos of Germany will retire after this year's UEFA European Championship at home, the 34-year-old announced on Tuesday.
"After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end," Kroos posted on Instagram. "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."
Kroos won the World Cup title with Germany in Brazil in 2014. He has so far made a total of 107 appearances for the national team, scored 17 goals and delivered 21 assists in various competitions. He retired from international football in July 2021, but decided to return in February for Euro 2024 that will begin on June 14.
Germany are in Group A with Switzerland, Scotland and Hungary at this Euros. They won the tournament three times, and the last time they did so was in 1996.
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid dribbles in the La Liga game against Deportivo Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, May 14, 2024. /CFP
Having played for three clubs in his career – Bayern Munich, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Real Madrid – Kroos, spent the longest 10 years at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. He won four La Liga championships and four UEFA Champions League titles with Real. There is a chance for him add another one of the latter this year as the Spanish heavyweights will play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final on June 1.
"At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European Championship," Kroos wrote. "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."
"Toni Kroos has decided to end his career as a professional footballer after the 2024 European Championships," Real said in a statement on Tuesday. "Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who is already part of Real Madrid's history and who is one of the great legends of our club and world football."