Germany midfielder Toni Kroos on Friday announced his retirement from international football, stating that his priority is now to focus on his club career with Real Madrid and spend time with his family.
Kroos, 31, released a statement on his social media handles to announce his decision about three days after Germany’s exit from the 2020 European Championships in the Round of 16 to arch-rivals England.
“I had made the decision to quit after this tournament for a long time. It had been clear to me for a long time that I would not be available for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” Kroos said in the statement.
“Mainly because I want to focus fully on my goals with Real Madrid for the next few years. In addition, from now on I will deliberately allow myself breaks that have not existed as a national player for eleven years.
“And moreover, as a husband and dad, I would also like to be there for my wife and three children. It was a great honour for me to be able to wear this jersey for such a long period of time. I did it with pride and passion.
“Thanks to all fans and supporters who carried and supported me with their applause and cheers. And thanks to all the critics for their extra motivation. At the very end, I would like to say thank you very much to Jogi (Joachim) Low. He made me a national player and world champion. He trusted me. We have written a success story for a long time.
“It was an honor for me, doing it well – and good luck and success to Hansi Flick.”
Kroos was an integral part of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup. The former Bayern Munich midfielder earned 106 international caps and contributed 17 goals and 19 assists. He made his international debut in January 2010 in a friendly against Argentina.
“I would have dearly wished, and I gave everything again, that there would have been 109 internationals in the end and that this one big title, the European Championship, would have been added at the end,” he said.
The 2020 Euros was also the last assignment for Joachim Low as Germany’s head coach, ending his 15-year career with the national team. Germany’s campaign ended with a 2-0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium in the Round of 16.
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