Real Madrid star Toni Kroos announces shock decision to retire from football after Euro 2024

Toni Kroos will retire from football at the age of 34 this summer.

The Real Madrid midfielder is set to feature in his final game for the Spanish giants at Wembley on June 1, against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.

He will then play for Germany at Euro 2024, which will be held on home soil for Die Mannschaft.

Madrid and Kroos have agreed to part ways after his contract expires in the summer and he has revealed that the decision has prompted him to take a surprise early retirement from playing.

In a statement on Instagram, he posted: “July 17th, 2014 - the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer - but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world.

“After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one.

“At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European 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. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!”

Kroos came through the ranks at Bayern Munich, winning three league and cup doubles before a 2014 move to Madrid shortly after lifting the World Cup with Germany.

In the Spanish capital, he has been an integral part of four Champions League triumphs, a tally which could yet increase this season, as well as four LaLiga wins.

Real president Florentino Perez stated: “Toni Kroos is one of the great players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and will always be his home.”