Following Germany's elimination from the Euros, Toni Kross has now retired officially from Football. The Real Madrid legend announced in May 2024 that he would leave and retire from Football after Germany's Euro 2024 campaign.
After a storied career spanning over a decade, marked by countless triumphs individual accolades and a legacy that will be etched in the annals of Football history, Toni Kross has announced his retirement from Professional Football. The German midfielder, renowned for his vision, precision, and control has left an indelible mark in the world of Football, inspiring generations of players and fans alike with his artistry on the pitch.
When Kross expressed his desire to retire from Football, Real Madrid released a statement on the club's website, which read: "Real Madrid wants to express it's gratitude and affection to Toni Kross, a player who is already part of the history of Real Madrid and who is one of the great legends of our club and World Football". Real Madrid President Florentine Perez also added: "Toni Kross is one of the great players in the history of Real Madrid and that this club is and will always be his home".
Toni Kross born 4 January 1990, is a German former professional footballer. Regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time, he is known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing and set-piece ability, Kross played mainly as a central midfielder, but had also been deployed as a deep- lying playmaker in his career. With 34 titles won, Kross is the most successful German Football player.
Kross began his senior club career playing for Bayern Munich, where he made his debut at age 17 in 2007. He was sparingly used, and opted for an 18-month loan spell at fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Leverkusen, where he became a key contributor, and returned to his parent club with an increased profile in 2010.
With Bayern, Kross won two consecutive league titles (three titles in total), a UEFA champions league title, two DFB-Pokal titles, and was voted into the league team of the season three times. In 2014, he joined Real Madrid in a transfer worth €25 million Euros.
In Madrid, Kross has won twenty-one trophies, including four La Liga titles and five UEFA champions league titles, three of which he won consecutively from 2016 to 2018, each time being selected in the competition's team of the season. He has been selected in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 and UEFA Team of the year three times each, and the league's team of the season twice. He was voted the IFF HS World's best playmaker in 2014 and German Footballer of the year in 2018.
Kross won the Golden Player award at the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and Golden Ball at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He made his senior debut for Germany in 2010, at age 20, and appeared in six major tournaments.
With 108 International matches for the senior team, Kross is in the top 10 of Germany's most capped players . Kross helped Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he was too assist provider and voted to the All Star Team, Dream Team, and German Player of the Year. At UEFA Euro 2016, he was selected to the Team of the Tournament.
As the Curtains falls on Toni Kross's illustrious career, the Football World bids farewell to a true legend. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of players and fans alike, a testament to his dedication, passion, and fans alike, a testament to his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. With a treasure trove of memories, accolades and achievements, Kross's impact on the beautiful game will never be forgotten. As he embarks on a new chapter in his life, the annals of Football history will forever remember Toni Kross as a true great, a master of his craft, and a champion in every serve of the word.