Great career: Germany’s Toni Kroos waving to the fans at the end of a quarter-final match against Spain in Stuttgart. Spain won 2-1. — AP
MUNICH: Over and out.
Germany great Toni Kroos officially bid farewell to football, two days after his team’s dramatic loss to Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
Substitute Mikel Merino’s game-winning goal in the last minute of extra time handed Spain a 2-1 victory, knocked out the host nation and ended Kroos’ playing career.
“So that’s it,” Kroos wrote in a post on Instagram on Sunday.
“But before I take a break and at least try to realise what happened over the last 17 years I don’t want to miss the opportunity to say thank you to everyone accepting me how and who I am.”
The 2014 World Cup winner went on to thank his fans, clubs, coaches and teammates, as well as his friends and family, adding that there is “nothing better (than) to see your kids being proud of daddy.”
Kroos won a host of titles, mostly with Real Madrid, but also with Bayern Munich – six Champions Leagues, four Spanish leagues, three Bundesligas, three German Cups and one Spanish King’s Cup.
The 34-year-old Kroos announced in May that he would retire at the end of Euro 2024. That meant that his 114th match for Germany turned out to be his last.
It was also a match that saw him deliver a crunching tackle that ended the Euro 2024 campaign of Spanish midfielder Pedri.
Kroos publicly apologised to the youngster at the end of an Instagram post and Pedri thanked the 34-year-old, saying he had forgiven Kroos.
“Thank you Toni Kroos for your message,” the 21-year-old Pedri wrote in a post on social media.
“This is football and these things happen. Your career and your record remain forever.”
Pedri will stay with the Spain squad for the rest of the tournament: Today’s semi-final against France and the final five days later should Spain get there.
“I came to Germany for Euro 2024 and I will continue here, until the end. Because, do not doubt it, the dream continues,” Pedri wrote.
For Kroos, however, the dream is over.
He ended his post with the words: “Last but not least: Thank you Football! You beautiful game. And ... you‘re welcome! Over and out.” — AP
