Spanish fans honored Toni Kroos after his final professional football match on Friday.
Kroos concluded his 17-year professional career as Germany was eliminated from the 2024 European Championships by Spain.
- Chelsea agree surprise deal after Arsenal win race for Euro 2024 player
- Bellingham handed one-game Euros ban for crotch grab celebration ahead of Switzerland clash
- Napoli send new message to Chelsea over Victor Osimhen transfer this summer
- The reason Man Utd rejected chance to sign Jamal Musiala after being ‘offered’ Bayern star
Germany managed to equalize with a goal in the last second of regular time after being down 1-0, but their hopes were dashed when Spain scored a winner in the 119th minute.
With Germany’s exit from the tournament, Kroos played his last match just a month after ending his club career with a Champions League victory for Real Madrid.
Despite Spain delivering the final blow to the German midfielder’s career, their fans showed remarkable respect.
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenburg posted a video showing Spanish fans applauding and singing to Kroos as he approached to express his gratitude.
Having spent a decade with La Liga giants Madrid, many Spanish fans are well-acquainted with Kroos, a legend at the Bernabeu, and wanted to show their appreciation for his contributions to the club.
The 37-year-old midfielder has won 23 major trophies with Madrid, including six Champions League titles and four La Liga championships.
In May, Kroos announced on Instagram that he would retire after the Euros.
Alongside pictures of his career at Madrid, he wrote: “This decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship.
“As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. I am happy and proud that, in my mind, I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own.
“My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. Now on, there is only leading thought: a por la 15 [winning Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title]!”
Kroos previously retired from international football in July 2022 but returned to the German squad for the 2024 Euros, which are taking place in his home country, after a conversation with Julian Nagelsmann.
“I’ll be playing for Germany again from March. Why? Because I was asked by the coach and I’m up for it,” Kroos said in an Instagram post.
“I’m sure that much more is possible with the team at the European Championship than most people think right now.”
The midfielder has 114 caps for his national team and was part of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup, defeating Argentina 1-0 with a goal in the 113th minute.
