Toni Kroos answers Germany call to come out of international retirement for Euro 2024

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos will come out of international retirement to play in this summer’s European Championship on home soil.

Kroos has 106 caps for his country but has not featured since the defeat to England at Wembley in the last-16 of Euro 2020.

The Real Madrid star stepped away from the national team at the end of that tournament, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and in the hope it would prolong his club career.

However, the 2014 World Cup winner revealed ahead of last month’s Champions League first-leg tie against RB Leipzig in his homeland that he was considering coming back into the fold and on Thursday confirmed the move.

“People, short and painless: I will play for Germany again in March,” Kroos wrote on Instagram. “Why? Because I was asked by the federal coach, I’m in the mood and I’m sure that with the team at the European Championship much more is possible than most believe right now!”

The 34-year-old will make his return in next month’s international friendlies against France and Germany in what is a significant boost to head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The former Bayern Munich boss replaced Hans Flick in September but has won just one of his first four matches in charge, with November’s international break bringing defeats against Turkey and Austria.

Flick had been sacked after his own dismal run of friendly results, with Germany’s status as hosts meaning they qualified directly for Euro 2024.

Germany are in Group A and will face Scotland in the tournament’s opening match, before games against Hungary and Switzerland.