Toni Kroos experiences a bitter farewell to professional soccer. The national team’s European Championship journey comes to an end against Spain. The 2014 world champion encourages his team-mates

Toni Kroos said a wistful farewell to the fans after his very last game as a professional footballer. “I think we can all be proud, because everyone has gone one better than before,” said the 114-time international after his team’s quarter-final exit to Spain on Friday evening in Stuttgart. “I’m happy to have helped a little bit to ensure that we all in Germany have the ambition and hope to progress. I’m confident that the team will achieve this in the future. But it’s also part of it that we’re all sad today. “

After the final whistle of the 2-1 draw after extra time, numerous Spanish players also tried to console Kroos. The 34-year-old had left his mark on top Spanish club Real Madrid over the years and won the Champions League five times with the Whites. German coach Julian Nagelsmann only brought the 2014 world champion back into the national team in March. Kroos brought security and stability to the German game – even though the home European Championship was over before the final in Berlin on July 14.

“At the moment, to be honest, it’s a bit more about the tournament exit, that’s the main thing now because we all had a big goal together,” said Kroos, who stood in front of the German fans for a long time after the final whistle. “This dream that we all had is now shattered, even if we realize in the next few days that we played a good tournament. When you come so close, that’s what’s extremely bitter. “