Toni Kroos writes open letter to Real Madrid fans after announcing retirement
Legendary midfielder Toni Kroos has penned an open letter to Real Madrid fans after announcing his retirement from professional football. Kroos' contract with Los Blancos will run out at the end of the season and he will retire from the sport after UEFA EURO 2024.
The German recently came back from international retirement to play in the Euros, set to take place in his home country. Kroos, however, will hang up his boots after the continental tournament.
He wrote a heartfelt letter to the fans, which read (via Fabrizio Romano on X):
"As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. July 17th, 2014- the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. 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."
Kroos added:
"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 espcially 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 championships."
Toni Kroos further stated:
"I'm happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and 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's only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS."
Toni Kroos' Real Madrid career
Toni Kroos joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014 for €25 million. He has since made 463 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals and providing 98 assists.
Kroos has had a trophy-laden spell in the Spanish capital. He has won 22 trophies with Los Blancos, including four UEFA Champions League titles. Kroos could add yet another Champions League to his collection if Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in this season's final on Saturday, June 1.
Apart from that, Kroos has also played for Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, winning the UCL with Bayern. The great midfielder was a key player in the Germany side that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup.