The possibility that Toni Kroos‘s last match of his career could be against Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals on Friday in Stuttgart is stirring special feelings among the Spanish players who have shared the Real Madrid dressing room with him, like Joselu Mato, who expressed his gratitude but made it clear they aim to “retire” him.
“Germany is a very strong team, also a top contender for the title. We hope to retire Toni on Friday. It’s been a pleasure to play with him; he embodies everything that Real Madrid stands for, all the club’s values,” he acknowledged in a press conference.
“He’s been a teammate, a friend in the dressing room; I’ve received a lot of advice from him, had many conversations with him, and it’s been a pleasure for me. He’s a crucial player for the German national team and has been for Real Madrid. We need to watch him closely on Friday,” he added.
Joselu expressed regret that Spain might end Kroos’s career if they eliminate Germany at home and sent a message of affection to the German midfielder.
“We have to believe in ourselves, and we don’t want to harm any player from another team, least of all Toni. I love him, I will always believe in him, but I think Friday could be his last game. It’s a shame that we have to say goodbye to Toni like this, but hopefully, we’ll win on Friday and it’ll be his last game, for our sake,” he said.
Toni Kroos’s response
“I haven’t brought any cake for you. I don’t think it’s my last game, and we’ll see each other again,” he told the press from Herzogenaurach, a town about 20 km from Nuremberg, where he’s preparing for the tournament.
“It’s normal for him to say that (Joselu); they want to win the tournament. But I will do everything to prevent that. They didn’t want to retire me at Madrid because they are my friends,” he added.
The midfielder, despite asserting that he doesn’t believe it’s his last game, acknowledges the possibility of it being the end, although it doesn’t bother him.
“It’s in my mind, but it’s motivation. In the round of 16, it could have been the last one; it didn’t bother me. It’s a big motivation for me to extend it as long as possible, hopefully until the end. It was my decision, and I can live very well with it. I’ll try to stay here until the end, and if not, I’ll be happy without football afterward. But hopefully, it lasts a bit longer,” he said.
