'Greatest German Player': Tributes Pour In As Toni Kroos Retires From Football After Euro Hearbreak

There wasn't supposed to a fairytale ending for Toni Kroos on the international stage as Germany lost to Spain 2-1 by conceding a goal in the final minute of extra time in the Quarterfinals of Euro 2024. 

Toni Kroos retired from Club Football with the highest of highs by winning his sixth Champions League with Real Madrid in June. Him alongside every German hoped that he could also bow out of international football by winning the only trophy he failed to win - the European Championship. 

However, it wasn't meant to be as Germany and Spain both played a fantastic quarterfinal game but in the end Spain just edged it out with a Mikel Merino header. A tournament that showed a lot of promise for Germany lifted clouds of gloom from German football ended in a heartbreak but Germany can bow out holding their heads held high.  

As Toni Kroos hung up his boots forever, some heartfelt tributes poured in for the iconic midfielder. 

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Joshua Kimmich's Dressing Room goobye to Toni Kroos

According, to Bild post the game, Joshua Kimmich spoke inside the dressing room and thanked Toni Kroos for his years of service and called him ‘The Greatest Player we’ve had'. 

“I wanted to thank everyone. And I wanted to thank Toni Kroos. He celebrated incredible titles and records and I would've loved to win another trophy with him. For me, he's without a doubt the greatest German player we've had. It's remarkable what kind of guy, what kind of person he is. He's a role model for us all,” said Joshua Kimmich. 

‘It’s impossible to over-appreciate Toni's career' - Julian Nagelsmann

Germany's manager Julian Nagelsmann the man who played a big hand in convincing Toni Kroos to come out of international retirement for this tournament couldn't help but thank the midfielder for his contribution to sport. 

“It's impossible to over-appreciate Toni's career. It's probably unique for a German player. He's certainly one of Germany's biggest players. Everyone knows about his success but not everyone knows about his character. He spoke to the team in a very difficult moment for him personally. He always sees himself as part of this group,” said Nagelsmann. 

Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid players pour their Tributes 

Toni Kroos' former Real Madrid teammates Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni all paid their tributes the German. 

Jude Bellingham took to Instagram to share a post on his story in which he simply turned the number 8 of Toni Kroos jersey into an infinity symbol. 

Aurelien Tchouameni post France's quarterfinal victory over Portugal thanked Toni Kroos for everything he done throughout the career. 

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Adidas renames 11Pro Shoes in honour of Toni Kroos 

Adidas has renamed Toni Kroos iconic adidas 11Pro shoes which he wore throughout the career as ‘adidas TKpro’ to honour the German's career. 

Toni Kroos will forever be etched in football history and he retires having won every 6 Champions Leagues, 1 World Cup, and 4 La Liga.