German national team ‘veteran’ MF Toni Kroos bitterly retires
German national team midfielder Toni Kroos retires from active duty
As Germany, the ‘Panzer Corps’ that had been challenging for the European Football Championship title for the first time in 28 years, suffered the bitter defeat of being eliminated in the quarterfinals, the football journey of veteran midfielder Toni Kroos (34), who had embarked on the ‘last dance’ dreaming of winning the championship, also ended in regret.
Germany lost 1-2 to Spain in extra time in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals held at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart, Germany on the 6th (Korean time).
With this, Germany, which had been challenging to reclaim the throne for the first time in 28 years since winning Euro 1996, was unable to shake off its image as a ‘rusty panzer corps’ after suffering a disappointing quarterfinal exit on home soil.
The player who will be most disappointed by Germany’s quarterfinal elimination is undoubtedly Kroos.
Kroos is one of Germany’s best midfielders.
Kroos, who first wore the German national team uniform in 2010, played an active role as Germany’s ‘midfield commander’ with his wide vision, outstanding passing ability, creative play, and excellent set-piece ability, and contributed to Germany’s victory in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. 슬롯사이트
Kroos, who was nicknamed ‘The Football Professor’ for his outstanding passing ability, announced his retirement from the national team after Germany lost 0-2 to England in the round of 16 of Euro 2020 in June 2021.
Since then, Kroos has focused on his club team, Real Madrid (Spain), but he has made a surprise return to the national team after three years in preparation for Euro 2024, which will be held in his home country.
Germany, which once dominated the world football stage, has been mocked as a “rusty tank corps” after suffering repeated setbacks, including being eliminated in the group stage of the 2018 Russia World Cup, the round of 16 of Euro 2020, and the group stage of the 2023 Qatar World Cup.
Meanwhile, Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of the German national team, asked Kroos, who had announced his retirement from the national team, to return, and Kroos participated in the ‘last dance’ to win the European Championship.
He contributed to the team’s 2-0 victory by delivering a stunning ‘delivery cross’ for the opening goal against Borussia Dortmund (Germany) in the 2023-2024 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held on June 2 ahead of the opening of Euro 2024.
Kroos, who lifted the UCL trophy, aimed for a ‘Euro double’ through Euro 2024, but ended his career on a bitter note as Germany were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
After the game, Cross lamented in an interview with foreign media outlets including the Associated Press, “My dream has been shattered.”
Although he has won many trophies as a member of the club, including the regular league, UCL, and FIFA Club World Cup, Kroos’ disappointment is bound to be even greater as he has never won the European Championship. 파칭코 게임