Four days after announcing his upcoming retirement from football, at the age of 34, Toni Kroos played his last match with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, for the reception of Betis (0-0), at the conclusion of La Liga.
A week before the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund, next Saturday at Wembley, Real Madrid, already crowned champion of Spain, concluded its season in the league with a goalless draw against Real Betis (0- 0), Saturday evening at the Bernabéu. Carlo Ancelotti’s team finished with 95 points on the clock, 13 more for the moment on their runner-up, Barça, who play in Seville on Sunday.
The last home meeting above all allowed the entire Casa Blanca to pay tribute to Toni Kroos. The iconic German midfielder announced on Tuesday, to everyone’s surprise, his retirement at the end of the upcoming Euro 2024, at the age of 34. The two teams reserved a guard of honor for the 2014 world champion, who arrived 10 years ago in the Spanish capital. His teammates all wore a jersey with the number 8.
Kroos replaced before the end of the match
A young supporter also paid a superb tribute to Kroos with a sign. “Referee, don’t blow the final whistle, otherwise Kroos will leave us”it was written, in reference to a message written to Zinédine Zidane during his last match with Real Madrid in 2006 (“Referee, don’t whistle at the end so Zidane doesn’t leave”). Incredible tribute.
Toni Kroos was replaced five minutes from the end of the game (by Dani Ceballos, 86th), to receive a final standing ovation. The player trained at Hansa Rostock made 464 appearances with Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals. For four Spanish championship titles, four Champions Leagues, one Copa del Rey and five Club World Cups.
