You know what they say: All good things must come to an end. Sadly, that saying also applies to sports, as those players that we saw turn into legends also have to call it quits and retire from the game eventually.
That seems to be the case with Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, one of the most prolific playmakersof the decade, as he’s reportedly ready to say goodbye to the Germany national team after the European Championship this summer.
Kroos would be following the steps of his life-long coach at Die Mannschaft, Joachim Löw, who’s also set to step down after the tournament following quite the successful 15-year stint in charge of the team.
Toni Kroos To Retire From International Duty After Euro 2020
Kroos will focus on Real Madrid. (Getty)
No one, not even the best athletes on earth can escape Father Time and Toni Kroos is well aware of it. He’s not getting any younger at 31-years-old and retiring from international duty will help him prolong his career.
Kroos has established as one of the most important pieces for Real Madrid even long before Zinedine Zidane took over the team, but it’s tough to endure the burden of year-round soccer and the tight schedules due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The German midfielder had already been quite critical of the way UEFA and FIFA are treating its players, forcing them to play more games and more tournaments despite the toll it could take on their health.
Toni Kroos In Numbers
Kroos won the World Cup in 2014. (Getty)
Since making his debut with Germany on March 3, 2010; Kroos has made 101 appearances for Die Mannschaft, scoring 17 goals to go along with 19 assists and just 7 yellow cards. Also, he was instrumental in the World Cup title they won in 2014.
No wonder he’ll go down as one of the best players to ever wear Germany’s jersey, but at least he can rest assured that his nation will be in great hands with the up-and-coming generation of young stars ready to carry his torch.