Football loses the German genius at the end of the season
The world of football is set to lose one of its finest midfielders of the modern era at the end of this season, as Real Madrid and Germany’s national team midfielder Toni Kroos announced that he will retire after the upcoming UEFA European Championship, which is scheduled to take place in his home country next summer.
Kroos, 34, in an emotional statement on Instagram, wrote: “My football career will end this summer, after the European Championship. As I have always said, Real Madrid is my final team and will remain so,” emphasizing that his ambition has always been “to finish the season at the highest level.”
He added, “July 17, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, is the day that changed my life. Not only my life as a footballer, but also as a person specifically. It was the beginning of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world. After 10 years, at the end of the season, this chapter will end.”
He concluded his statement with, “From now on, there is only one thought: winning the 15th title!!! Hala Madrid and nothing else!”, referring to the UEFA Champions League where Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the final on June 1st at Wembley Stadium in London.
Kroos has won the prestigious continental competition five times, four of which were with Real Madrid and one with Bayern Munich. Real Madrid expressed “gratitude and love for Toni Kroos, a player who has already become part of Real Madrid’s history and one of the greatest legends in our club and world football,” thus paying tribute to an “essential player” who has won 22 titles and played 463 matches in the “merengue” shirt.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez praised “one of the greatest players in Real Madrid’s history who always has and always will consider this club his home.”
The Road to Stardom Kroos was born in 1990 in Greifswald, which was part of East Germany. He joined Bayern Munich’s youth ranks at the age of 16 from Hansa Rostock and quickly rose to the first team after just one year. He became the youngest professional player to play for Bayern at the age of 17 years and 265 days, delivering an assist to Miroslav Klose 18 minutes after coming off the bench.
In the 2012-2013 season, in which the Bavarian team achieved a treble of the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the Champions League, Kroos played a pivotal role in midfield alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger and Spanish player Javi Martinez. He stayed at the “Allianz Arena” for one more season after the arrival of Spanish coach Pep Guardiola and left after the club reportedly refused to meet his financial demands.
World Champion with Germany
Kroos first wore the “Die Mannschaft” shirt in 2010 in a friendly match that ended in a 0-1 loss to Argentina, after having come on as a substitute. After establishing himself in midfield, he played every minute of Germany’s matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which they won, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
Kroos, who was named Germany’s best player in 2018, retired from international football after Germany’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2021 European Championship at the hands of England with a 2-0 defeat. His retirement was seen as part of a generational shift in the German national team after seven years since their World Cup triumph, but unlike veterans Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, and Mats Hummels, Kroos made the decision himself.
He reversed his decision at the beginning of this year and contributed to victories over France and the Netherlands in friendly matches, sparking a wave of optimism after years of disappointment, bringing Germany back to winning against major national teams.
With Real Madrid facing Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final on June 1st, Betway is buzzing with activity. Fans are also gearing up for the European Championship, where Kroos aims to end his illustrious career on a high note. Betway’s reputation for reliability and extensive betting options ensures it remains the premier choice for sports betting in Lebanon.
