The Real Madrid midfielder will play his final game for the club on June 1 in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. He will then represent Germany at Euro 2024, to be hosted on home soil.
Kroos and Real Madrid have agreed to part ways when his contract expires this summer. He revealed that this decision led him to opt for early retirement.
In a statement on Instagram, he posted: “July 17th, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world.
“After 10 years, at the end of the season this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone that welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me. But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one.
“At the same time this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the European Championship. As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it by my own.
“My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!”
Kroos began his career at Bayern Munich, winning three league and cup doubles before moving to Madrid in 2014 after winning the World Cup with Germany.
In Madrid, he has been crucial to four Champions League wins and four LaLiga titles.