MADRID (AP) — Toni Kroos will retire from soccer after trying to give Real Madrid yet another Champions League trophy and lead Germany to the European Championship title at home.
The 34-year-old German midfielder said Tuesday it was a tough decision, but that the timing felt “somehow perfect.”
“I always wanted to leave at the peak of my abilities and I know, and from a lot of examples you see, that it isn’t easy, that you can miss that point in time very quickly,” Kroos said on a podcast he hosts with his brother.
“I never wanted to have the feeling at the end that the club, the fans, the people around me would have to tell me, ‘That’s enough,’ or that I’d spend another two or three years sitting on the bench.”
Madrid thanked Kroos and hailed his achievements with the team.
“Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and affection to Toni Kroos, a player who will go down in Real Madrid history as one of our club and international football’s greatest legends,” the club said.
Australia on track to eliminate cases of hepatitis C by 2030
China launches new satellite for space environment survey
World should focus more on small businesses, young people: Jack Ma
Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Portugal into record sixth European Championship
China AI industry to see scale reach over $240 bln
Climate change risks for fish across world: UW researchers
China sets goals to breakthrough in future industries
Trump says he is open to restrictions on contraception before backing away from the statement
China discovers new oilfield with over 100 mln tones of reserves
No more cute snaps of Mt Fuji. A screen is up in a Japanese town to prevent tourist crowds
Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to China