DONAUESCHINGEN, Germany : “Spain Aims to Send Toni Kroos into Retirement”, Spain will put sentiment to one side on Friday when they play Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals knowing that victory would spell retirement for veteran midfielder Toni Kroos who has already hung up his boots at Real Madrid.
Forward Joselu expressed admiration for his former Real Madrid teammate from last season but emphasized that Spain’s primary focus is on securing victory in Stuttgart to advance to the Euro semi-finals, regardless of the implications for Toni Kroos.
“It’s a shame we have to send Toni into retirement like that, but hopefully we will win on Friday and it will be Toni’s last game, for our own good,” Joselu told a news conference.
Kroos, 34, bade an emotional farewell to Real Madrid fans in May after a remarkable decade at the club where he made 464 appearances and helped them win more than 20 major trophies including five European Cups.
“It’s been a pleasure for me to play with him. I think he reflects all that is Real Madrid, the values of the club,” added Joselu. “He’s a fundamental player for Germany, as well as for Real Madrid, we need to keep an eye on him on Friday.”
Joselu is the same age as Kroos and has also left Real Madrid to join Qatar’s Al-Gharafa after a remarkable late blossoming of his career in which he received a surprise national call up.
“Representing my country is the maximum a footballer can achieve … I enjoy every day.”
He said it was the right time to move on from Real Madrid, who have just signed Kylian Mbappe up front.
