Toni Kroos has officially retired from football after Germany’s Euro 2024 campaign came to an end with a 2-1 defeat after extra-time to Spain in the quarter-finals.
The hosts of the summer tournament were dumped out after 120 minutes of their quarter-final in Stuttgart.
Dani Olmo put Spain ahead in the second half before Florian Wirtz sent the tie to extra-time with a late goal.
Penalties seemed to be looming before Mikel Merino came up with the winning goal in the final minute of extra-time.
The result means Kroos will hang up his boots once and for all.
The legendary midfielder, who spent the last 10 years of his career at Real Madrid, announced in May that he would retire from the game after the European Championships in his home country. His nation enjoyed an exceptional tournament before their chances of silverware came crashing down following a defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals.
In what has been an immense career for Kroos, the player has collated 34 honours for his club and country, but was unable to clinch the European trophy. His performances during the campaign prompted many to question whether Kroos had made the right decision to hang up his boots, but the German star has so far remained set in his decision to retire.
Posting to Instagram back in May, Kroos said: “After 10 years [at Madrid], at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end.
“At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro 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.”
Germany, and Kroos miss out on the chance to claim European success and bring silverware home for the first time since they last did so in 1996.
What we know
- Toni Kroos has hung up his boots after Germany were knocked out of Euro 2024
- Real Madrid star announced his plans to retire from the game in May
- Germany’s chance of claiming European silverware came to an end against Spain.
6x Champions League 1x World Cup 3x Bundesliga 3x DFB-Pokal 4x La Liga 1x Copa del Rey 5x UEFA Super Cup 4x Supercopa de España 1x DFL-Supercup 1x German Footballer of the Year.