Real Madrid star Toni Kroos isn’t looking past this summer’s European Championship. The 34-year-old player was convinced to come out of retirement to help Germany in its home tournament, but he is still unsure of what will happen in the upcoming season.
Kroos’ contract with the Spanish league leader has yet to be extended and the possibility of finishing his career on a high note at Euro 2024 appeals to a player who has already won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and every domestic trophy with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
“Many things are uncertain after the European Championship,” Kroos stated on Tuesday when questioned about playing for Germany after the tournament. He added, “I don’t even have a contract for next season. So, it’s difficult. I need to clear that up before … I think it would be difficult to get me back from full retirement.”
Julian Nagelsmann, the coach of Germany, said last week that he spoke with Kroos several times in an attempt to convince him to come back. Since Germany’s defeat to England in the second round of the last European Championship, Kroos hadn’t played for the national team.
Kroos made a joke about having to decide whether or not to go back with his grandfather. “I had to convince him because without his OK nothing would have happened,” Kroos said. “No, he knew how I was thinking, and he said if it was up to him, then preferably another year with Real, and then holiday. But I told him in the meantime I’d decided play the Euro in any case and he’s fine, he’s ordered his Germany jersey.”
Germany’s next matches are against France on Saturday in Lyon and the Netherlands on Tuesday in Frankfurt. Greece and Ukraine will be its final warmup games.
