Despite the pain that Toni Kroos felt at the time of his farewell to football, eliminated by a goal from Mikel Merino in the 119th minute of extra time at the European Championships hosted by his country, Germany, the midfielder has left a farewell message showing pride in the level displayed by his team and assuring that the German team “is great again”. Hours after hanging up his boots, Kroos has published a farewell letter on his social networks in which he revealed the way in which his return to the German national team was forged and the way in which his heart won over his head. “My phone rang on 09/29/2023. The person calling: Julian Nagelsmann. Request: return to the national team. The first thought in my head: Don’t be stupid! The first thought in my heart: Fuck yes! As we all know, it is the heart that decides,” he confessed in a publication in which he included an image with the German coach.
“My first thought on this morning of July 6, 2024: I am glad I did it. Despite all the sadness and emptiness since the final whistle yesterday. I always saw that the team had more than it had shown in recent years, but I did not expect that in such a short time it would be possible to have a real chance of winning the title and being at the level of the best again. That is why I am very proud of what this team has achieved. And all of Germany can be proud again,” he said.
Kroos has expressed his “special thanks” to all the German fans who have made the Euros in his home country “something special” and for the support he received in each of the five games he played until the tough moment of elimination that means his farewell to football for good after his first farewell with Real Madrid, with whom he won La Liga and the Champions League this season.
“We have seen you, lived you and felt you,” he said. “On a personal level, I would like to thank you for the truly special warmth and affection of the past few weeks. It has been very special. And finally, a request, now that Germany has its favourite son back, don’t let him get away! The journey of this team continues and it helps tremendously if you are by their side even in the bad times because I can assure you of one thing: this is a group of great people who will give everything to succeed! Germany is great again,” he continued.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has also apologised to Pedri for the kick he gave him, which caused a sprained knee that will keep him out of the rest of the Euros. Kroos said that it was not his intention to hurt him and wished him “a speedy recovery” and the best for the rest of the tournament. “I’m sorry and I hope Pedri gets better soon!” he wrote on his Instagram account. “Obviously, it was not my intention to hurt you. A speedy recovery and all the best. You are a great player,” he added. The German midfielder abruptly cut short a counterattack that the Spanish player was starting three minutes and 30 seconds into the match, which caused an injury that prevented him from continuing in the quarter-finals. Pedri left the field in the 8th minute and was replaced by Dani Olmo.
You can follow Morning Express Sports on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
