Germany midfielder Toni Kroos has announced he will come out of retirement and make himself available for selection ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
The Real Madrid player has won 106 caps for his country, placing him ninth in their all-time appearance list, scoring 17 goals.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe made his debut for Die Mannschaft in a friendly against Argentina in 2010. Featured in six major tournaments. Including the 2014 World Cup, where he started every game as Germany became world champions for a fourth time.
The former Bayern Munich man announced his retirement from his national side in 2021 following their last 16 exit at EURO 2020, stating: “I have played 106 games for Germany. There won’t be another one. I was hoping that I could end up with 109 caps and one more major title, the European Championship, and gave my all to try and make that happen.”
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the 34-year-old has now reversed that decision. With the lure of a major tournament on home soil too big to turn down.
“Guys, short and painless: I will play for Germany again from March,” he posted on Instagram.
“Why? Because I was asked by the national coach, I’m up for it and I’m sure that a lot more is possible with the team at the European Championships than most people believe!”
Despite his age, the German appears to be aging like fine wine. With the centre-mid making 33 appearances for Real Madrid this season, scoring once and contributing seven assists.
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Kroos’ decision has given Madrid hope that he will extend his contract with the Spanish club beyond the end of the season.
Toni Kroos had recently revealed he was offered tickets for Germany’s opening EURO 2024 match against Scotland by the German FA for the price of €600. Something he’ll no longer need to worry about!
DSanchez17 from St Albans, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
