Toni Kroos has announced his retirement after ten years at Real Madrid ahead of his club’s Champions League final at Wembley next month.
The Germany international will retire from football altogether after taking part in his home European Championships in June, and shared a poignant message announcing his decision on Instagram.
The 34-year-old said that he was ‘happy and proud’ that the Spanish giants were his ‘his last club’, and stressed his desire to end on a high against Borussia Dortmund in Europe’s flagship competition.
Kroos will play his final LaLiga game of the season against Real Betis on Saturday, after Carlo Ancelotti’s side clinched the title with two weeks left to play.
The midfielder took to social media to share his gratitude for having spend the last decade at the Bernabeu, as well as paying tribute to the club’s fans.
Toni Kroos will wave goodbye to Real Madrid after their Champions League final on June 1
The Germany star will retire from football following this summer’s Euro 2024 on home soil
The 34-year-old joined Los Blancos a decade ago and has seen out years of dazzling success
‘July 17th, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life,’ Kroos began.
‘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. I will never forget that insolent successful time!
‘I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one.
‘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!’
During his decorated tenure at the club, Kroos has won four league titles, the Copa del Rey, four Supercopa de Espanas, three UEFA Super Cups, the Club World Cup on five occasions, and a titanic four Champions League trophies.
The 2014 World Cup winner has won scores of trophies and individual honours with Real
Kroos is Madrid’s second-highest active appearance-maker, behind Luka Modric (right)
In his final season, Real Madrid clinched the league title to crown a dominant campaign
The 2014 World Cup winner will aim to make it five in the English capital on June 1, with Real Madrid heavily favoured against Bundesliga outfit Dortmund.
Kroos has made a mighty 463 appearances for Los Blancos – scoring 28 goals and registering 98 assists – the 17th highest in club history, and second-highest of players still with the club behind team-mate Luka Modric.
In their official statement in the wake of Kroos’ announcement, Real Madrid ‘expressed gratitude’ to Kroos for his tenure and said that the player would ‘go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends.’
‘Toni Kroos will remain forever in the hearts of every madridista thanks to his mastery of the game and the fact he has given his all for our jersey, a steady example of the values of Real Madrid,’ the statement added.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made his own tribute, adding: ‘Toni Kroos is one of the great players in Real Madrid history and this club will always be his home.’
His former team-mate Gareth Bale sent a message of support to him on social media, writing: ‘Congratulations (Toni Kroos) on an amazing career. A pleasure to play alongside you’.
Florentino Perez (pictured with Kroos in 2014) paid tribute to a club legend in the making
Kroos arrived at Madrid during current head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s first spell in charge
The veteran has helped stabilise a squad rife with young talent such as Jude Bellingham
The international previously retired from his national team in 2021, but came out of retirement
2024 saw Kroos join up with new head coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of their home Euros
Kroos has played a key role in Madrid’s title-winning success this season, featuring in 32 league matches and registering nine goal contributions.
His renewed form saw him take up the mantle at international level once again, following his initial retirement in 2021 in the wake of Germany’s Euro 2020 campaign.
Kroos was named in head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s provisional squad for the side’s upcoming campaign, but despite previously sporting the armband, the midfielder is unlikely to unseat current national team captain Ilkay Gundogan.
Germany will begin their campaign against Scotland on June 14, and go into the tournament as one of the favourites two years on from their lacklustre showing at the World Cup in Qatar.