Legendary Real Madrid player Toni Kroos has discussed his decision to retire from the game and disclosed which person found it hardest to accept.

Consequently, what happened?After playing for Germany in Euro 2024, Kroos ended his amazing career. By winning the Champions League for the sixth time in his career and adding a fourth La Liga championship to his collection, the midfielder had already signed a contract with Real Madrid. Along with winning three Bundesliga titles and three German Cups with his former team Bayern, the German also won the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid. In 2014, he won the World Cup and played 114 games for the German national team.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

As one of the most successful midfielders to ever play the game, Kroos left football as a true legend. Although his wife, Jessica, was far more delighted to learn of his decision than Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, he has acknowledged that it was difficult to decide to leave the sport at the age of 34.

WHAT KROOS SAID

He told Marca: “The truth is that it wasn’t difficult for my wife, because it was a joint decision. It wasn’t a surprise at home, because we spent months talking about it. My wife was happy to have me at home more. It was harder to tell my eldest son, because I knew how much he enjoyed watching me on TV and at the stadium. He has experienced many things, he has been in four Champions League finals and as a child he will not forget it! It was difficult for my son, yes…

“And it was very difficult for me to tell Carlo, because he expected me to stay and because we had and still have a very good relationship. He was my first coach here and it wasn’t easy to tell him, but everything in life has an end. I knew he wouldn’t get angry, but he would be a bit sad. It wasn’t an easy moment for me either, because something that had been very special was coming to an end. I tried to choose a good moment, an easy moment… And I was lucky that we won La Liga by a margin and I said ‘now!’ Because there was the perfect time between La Liga and the Champions League final. It would have been more difficult if we were playing for La Liga, because I didn’t want this issue to be above everything else.”

WHAT NEXT FOR KROOS AND REAL MADRID?

Since hanging up his boots, Kroos has been quite busy working with his academy, modeling for Swedish apparel company Marc O’Polo, and returning to the Santiago Bernabeu to witness Real Madrid play Villarreal earlier in October. The German midfield star has been missed by Los Blancos, who are now in second place in La Liga going into Sunday’s Clasico matchup with Barcelona. Last time out, they defeated Borussia Dortmund in another incredible Champions League comeback.