Toni Kroos (34 years old) ended his career after the European Championship: “The ambition was to retire at the top”

The announced farewell of Toni Kroos does not come as a complete surprise. Last season, the German already indicated that he was thinking out loud about the end of his career.

But given Kroos’s large share of Real Madrid’s success, where he has played since 2014 and won the Champions League four times, this seemed a strange idea.

In addition, national coach Julian Nagelsmann convinced the midfielder to return as an international player to participate in the European Championship in his country.

But now Kroos surprises many by announcing his retirement as a player at the age of 34. Despite an offer from the Dutch Royal Company to extend his contract.

He wrote on his Instagram account: “At the end of this season, my season at Real Madrid will end after 10 years.”

“I will never forget the successful period we had. I would especially like to thank everyone who welcomed me and trusted me with an open heart. But above all I would like to thank the Real Madrid fans for their affection and love from the first day to the last.”

“This also means that my active career as a footballer will end after the European Championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will remain my last club. I am happy and proud that I found the right timing for my decision in my mind and that I can do it myself.”

“My ambition has always been to finish my career on a high. From now on there is only one thought: we are heading towards 15th place (Champions League trophy, ed.).”