Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos, who has one final game for the club at Wembley, has revealed that his decision to retire from football is in part because of the success that Los Blancos are having this season. The fact that he has the chance to leave with the La Liga and Champions League double has contributed to his decision to leave the game.
Meanwhile he also told Cadena SER that the fact the Euros were in his home country of Germany had not made the difference regarding his decision to come out of international retirement for one final tournament.
“No, no. I had the feeling that they needed me. Nagelsmann called me. I saw the games, I saw that they had suffered since the World Cup in Qatar. As I told you, Nagelsmann called me, he asked me if I wanted to play in the Euros, I thought about it and said yes. I feel good physically, which is the most important thing. It’s playing a tournament after a long season. I think that with the team we have we can do more than what we have been doing.”
Modric had told a different outlet that he hoped to continue as long as he felt strong and able to contribute, but that was not the case for the 34-year-old Kroos, four years his junior.
“No. They are different cases. I think Luka and I think a little differently about how to finish our career. In Luka’s case, he continues to enjoy football. I have always wanted to end on a great moment, where my body still works very well because I hope I have many years of life left afterward.”
“I want to leave football without physical problems and I am happy for having been able to endure this level at 34. I have always seen myself finishing my career on the field, being important for the team. I feel good now and I think it’s the perfect time for this.”
Los Blancos will no doubt miss Kroos dearly, with the German metronome one of the few midfielders in the game currently capable of controlling the tempo of the match. Carlo Ancelotti has noted that it would be difficult to find another footballer of his qualities, and later on in the interview, that was not denied by Kroos, who said that what Real Madrid are good at, regardless of whether they find a similar player, is winning. Nevertheless, Ancelotti will have to find different ways to win without him.
KidRockz
245
Kross was lucky that he had a proper farewell with the club, teammates and the fans in the stadium.. when I thought about CR7, Ramos, and Benz.. it's very sad to remember that..