Toni Kroos retires from football after Germany exit Euro 2024 at hands of Spain – ‘This team has a great future’ – Eurosport

Legendary midfielder Toni Kroos lauded his Germany team-mates after playing his final match in professional football.

And despite the heart-breaking defeat, Mikel Merino heading in the winner in the 119th minute, the 34-year-old insists the future is bright for Germany.

“Every game could be my last game for a few weeks now, but today really is the last game, and I’m proud of our team,” Kroos told AP.

“We’ve really taken a step forward if you look into the last five or six months, how the team was then and how it is now, fighting against the best.

“This team has a great future, we have great players. I hope they’ll keep growing. I’ll see them on TV.”

Kroos racked up awards and trophies in his 17-year senior career, including three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and four with Real Madrid.

The metronomic midfielder leaves football with six Champions League triumphs and a World Cup winners medal.

Compatriot Joshua Kimmich went so far as to say that he is Germany’s greatest player, or at least their most successful.

“I want to thank Toni [Kroos],” said Kimmich. “Unfortunately, it was his last game. Unfortunately, we were defeated.

“But we still celebrate his titles and records, and it would have been great to win this title with him.

“Am I wrong or is he the greatest player we have? No one was so successful, no doubt.”

In a double blow, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller also hinted at the possibility of his own retirement from international football.

He told Sky Sports Germany that: “There is a high probability that this was my last international match.”

Muller has made 135 appearances for Die Mannschaft and was understandably devastated at the timing of Merino’s winner.

“When I saw the ball go into our goal it felt like a stab in my heart,” Muller said.

“Yes, going behind 1-0 really made us wake up, because we were weaker during the first half, but it wasn´t enough.”