Bitter Farewell for Toni Kroos
Spain's dramatic extra-time victory knocked out Germany in the Euros and simultaneously marked the end of a German midfielder's football career. A sad finale.
It could have been Toni Kroos's last match, and it was. The football world anticipated what could happen, and it finally did. The German midfielder bid farewell to football.
Despite Germany's epic fight to force extra time, and just when a penalty shootout seemed inevitable to decide their fate, Merino's header silenced the German fans and left Kroos shaking his head.
The German midfielder had one last chance to extend his football career at least until penalties, but his cross into the box in the final play of the game landed in Unai Simón's hands. Then came the final whistle, and with it, the end of his career. A bitter ending.
Kroos exits after a game where he started strong, causing Pedri's injury that led to his substitution in the 8th minute, and stepping on Lamine Yamal in another tough challenge. He escaped booking on both occasions.
The ending doesn't tarnish a glorious career
Toni Kroos retires from football at 34, having won 34 titles. With Bayern Munich, he claimed ten trophies, including the 2013 treble.
He was part of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning squad in Brazil, just before joining Real Madrid.
At the Spanish club, he added another 23 titles, notably six Champions League victories, cementing his place in history alongside Paco Gento, Carvajal, Nacho, and Modric as the player with the most wins in the tournament.
Kroos leaves football as he always said he would, at his peak. The ending has been sad, bitter for a legend like him, but however it ends, it cannot overshadow the illustrious career he has had. Now, he hangs up his boots. Football already misses him.
