Toni Kroos: Real Madrid Maestro Pens Emotional Message As He Announces Retirement

• Toni Kroos has announced he will retire from football after the Euros
• His last game for Real Madrid will be against Dortmund in the UCL final
• He stressed the new Spanish champions will be his last club in his career

Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos, has announced his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the 2023-24 season.

The German international shocked the football world with his unexpected retirement news on Tuesday, May 21.

Kroos announces decision to retire

After a trophy-laden decade with Los Blancos, the 34-year-old confirmed that Madrid will be his final club, following his previous stints at Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

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“As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club,” he penned, as cited by Fabrizio Romano.

He reminisced about his first day at the club, describing it as a day that transformed his life both as a footballer and as a person.

“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.

The 2014 World Cup winner also expressed his deep appreciation for everyone who contributed to his successful tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, particularly the club's devoted fans.

"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.

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"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 noted that his final appearance as a footballer will be with Germany at this summer's Euros. He also revealed that his focus is on winning the Champions League next month.

"At the same time, this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship.”

“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!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS!”, he ended.

Ex-Barca star pays tribute to Kroos

In an earlier publication, Sports Brief reported that former FC Barcelona and Argentina star Juan Roman Riquelme once paid a unique tribute to Toni Kroos.

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After transitioning into football administration post-retirement, Riquelme compared Kroos' style to tennis legend Roger Federer.

The Boca Juniors president believes that the Real Madrid midfielder's smooth and effortless approach on the field is reminiscent of Federer's finesse on the tennis court.