National team - Emptiness and pride: Kroos moves into soccer retirement
"Toni Kroos' grand finale of his illustrious football career had taken a different turn. But the initially reckless and then dramatically ended dream of triumphing with the EM Cup in hand did not materialize for the great German title collector. World champion 2014 and six-time Champions League winner is Kroos, but after his last game as a professional footballer, the accolade of European champion is missing from his vita of the truly royal one of Real Madrid.
"What's going on in me?", said Kroos, as he sadly and weary, but also composed in the gangways of the Stuttgart stadium after the late and painful Spanish knockout blow to 1:2 in extra time described his feelings and thoughts.
"A certain emptiness, honestly", answered the 34-year-old. "That's normal, given the far-reaching consequences of the game. Primarily, it's a disappointment about the tournament exit", explained Kroos. The moment, the missed semifinal, the incomplete way to Berlin to the final weighed on him. That his career ended abruptly, that would "sink in for him only in the coming weeks".
"Spain has swum beautifully"
Kroos did not want "to make a big fuss", but it hurt him, precisely because of the nature of the defeat. "We were absolutely at eye level with Spain", said he with a firm voice. And that was also his verdict of this moody home EM: "We are again at eye level with the best!" Back into the world elite, that was the goal after the dismal tournaments 2018, 2021 and 2022 - and after his DFB return.
In the 114th national team game, Kroos had to push himself physically beyond his limits once again. 120 minutes, a length of time he had not stood on the pitch for a long time. His strength was waning, cramps were plaguing him, his tank was empty: "In my case, it would have still been enough for the penalty shootout", said Kroos. He had also taken responsibility, but just before that, Spain's joker Mikel Merino had hit him in the head. "The goal was brutal after the course of the game. Spain has swum beautifully", assessed Kroos.
A comeback that carried the team
The Real Grande had put in a notable, if not outstanding, performance at the last tournament. But what was even more important was his return in the EM year, which in deepest sadness released an uplifting mood in the DFB team during the tournament, which carried it far.
The team could rally around Kroos as a fixed point. And the World Champion of 2014 experienced in the late phase of his career the highest recognition from his home country's fans. "Toni, Toni", echoed through the stadiums.
Kroos was impressed by "how the team has stood up" after the heavy blows at the end of 2023. And he regretted it in the acute pain of the EM elimination not to have taken the risky DFB comeback on the coach's behest.
"The time was very good. It was great fun for me. I am very, very satisfied", said Kroos. In the cabin after the game, he spoke to the team, which would have to leave for the WM 2026 without him. "I didn't say it was only a good time for me when I come back and become European champion. That would have been a bit presumptuous. But I didn't think we could get so close so quickly", said he."
A hymn from Nagelsmann for "one of the Greatest" (Kroos)
Even most Spanish players came over to Kroos after the final whistle in their unbounded joy and bid him farewell personally. Nagelsmann meanwhile composed a hymn for him. "Toni's career is something to be highly respected. I believe, as everyone here can see, his sports achievements, which are probably unique for a German player, maybe even forever. He is certainly one of the greatest German players," said the trainer, who is only two years older.
Nagelsmann could feel vindicated, having planned the comeback coup with Kroos. "Before it was known that I wanted to bring him back, there was no one who thought it was a good idea. The week after he returned, everyone said I had long had the idea, why am I doing it now, the Bundestrainer?" Nagelsmann recounted on Friday evening.
"One knows Toni's sports achievements. What is even more remarkable, what most here don't know, is his character, how he is as a person, how he speaks to the team in a very sad moment for him, how he evaluates things, what role he gives himself in a large group," Nagelsmann gushed.
"He always saw himself or saw himself as part of the group. This human way of dealing with his children, his wife, his teammates, all these things are exceptional and for me in such an evaluation significantly higher than six Champions League titles," Nagelsmann raved in the press conference. Even without the winner's trophy, the Home-EM was still a very worthy conclusion to Kroos' mega-career.
- Despite playing for Real Madrid in Spain, Toni Kroos missed out on winning the EM Cup with the German national team.
- Kroos felt a sense of emptiness after Germany's late and painful defeat to Spain in the EM, which resulted in their elimination.
- Baden-Württemberg was the location where Kroos expressed his feelings and thoughts following the crucial game.
- Kroos had a notable performance during the EM, which helped to uplift the spirits of the DFB team and carry them far.
- Despite a comeback that was noticeable, Kroos regretted not taking the risky DFB comeback as instructed by the coach, leading to Germany's elimination.
- Nagelsmann, Kroos' coach, praised his character and achievements, calling him one of the greatest German players, even after their Home-EM elimination.
