Germany and Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos has announced his retirement from the German national team after 11 years at a relatively young age of 31. The former German Footballer of the Year has achieved both individually and with the team.
Kroos who made his senior Germany debut in 2010 against Argentina, the side they beat to win that World Cup in 2014, upon retirement stated that "I’ve played for Germany 106 times. There won’t be another time. I would have dearly wished, and I gave everything again, that there would have been 109 internationals in the end and that this one big title, the European Championship, would have been added at the end.
I had made the decision to quit after this tournament for a long time. It had been clear to me for a long time that I would not be available for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Mainly because I want to focus fully on my goals with Real Madrid for the next few years. In addition, from now on I will deliberately allow myself breaks that have not existed as a national player for eleven years.
And moreover, as a husband and dad, I would also like to be there for my wife and my three children.
It was a great honour for me to be able to wear this jersey for such a long period of time. I did it with pride and passion.
Thanks to all fans and supporters who carried and supported me with their applause and cheers. And thanks to all the critics for their extra motivation.
At the very end, I would like to say thank you very much to Jogi Löw. He made me a national player and world champion. He trusted me. We have written a success story for a long time. It was an honour for me, makes it good - good luck and success to Hansi Flick.
Your Toni
RESPECT"
In an illustrious career, he was part of the German team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and also bagged the following individual accolades
2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship Golden Player,
2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball,
FIFA U-17 World Cup Bronze Shoe in 2007,
Fritz-Walter-Medal U18 Gold Medal in 2008,
6 times FIFA FIFPro World11,
Three UEFA Team of the Year accolade,
2014 IFFHS World's Best Playmaker,
2014 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team,
2014 FIFA World Cup Dream Team,
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2016,
IFFHS World's Best Playmaker (Bronze): 2016,
IFFHS World's Best Playmaker (Silver): 2017,
IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017,
IFFHS World team of the decade 2011–2020,
IFFHS UEFA team of the decade 2011–2020 and several others.
