Toni Kroos Bids Farewell to Soccer

There will be no encore for Germany’s great Toni Kroos. After his final game, teammates and opponents alike sought him out to bid him farewell. The warmest embraces came from the Spanish players following their 2-1 victory at the European Championship on Friday, a defeat that ended Kroos’ illustrious playing career.

Kroos was the last Germany player born in East Germany. The midfielder played 114 games for Germany, and his final five at Euro 2024 solidified his status as one of the country’s all-time greats. “Toni’s career cannot be valued highly enough,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “His sporting successes are extraordinary and will probably remain unique for a German player for a long time, maybe forever.”

Nagelsmann coaxed Kroos out of retirement soon after being appointed Germany coach last year. Kroos returned in March, leading Germany to morale-boosting friendly wins over France and the Netherlands. “It was bizarre that no one thought it was a good idea to bring him back before it leaked out. Four weeks after he returned, everyone claimed they had the idea for a long time,” Nagelsmann said.

Before Kroos’ return, Germany had lost two and drawn one in Nagelsmann’s first four games, sparking fears of embarrassment at Euro 2024. Kroos led Germany to six wins and a draw before Spain ended his run in his eighth game since returning.

Kroos wasn’t thinking of retirement immediately after the game. “Right now, the main feeling is that the tournament is over because we all had a big goal we wanted to achieve together. And this dream we all had has been simply shattered,” he said. Kroos was glad to help revive the struggling German soccer team. “I’m glad I could help so that at least in football Germany has hope again.”

Kroos won numerous titles, mostly with Real Madrid, but also with Bayern Munich: six Champions Leagues, four Spanish leagues, three Bundesligas, three German Cups, and one Copa del Rey. His biggest success with Germany was the World Cup title in 2014. He had hoped to sign off with a European title at home, but his former Madrid teammates stood in the way. Kroos was arguably fortunate not to be sent off in his final game. He started with a bad challenge on Pedri and played on the edge until he was booked in the 67th minute. But all was forgotten after the final whistle as the players lined up with personal messages for Kroos.

“We know his sporting successes,” Nagelsmann said. “What’s even more important is his character, who he is as a person, how he spoke to the team even in a difficult moment for him.” Nagelsmann added that Kroos always saw himself as part of the group, a team player despite being special. “He has this human way with his children, his wife, and his teammates. These things rank much higher than six Champions League titles in assessing his career.”