"I'm clearly upset about something" - Responses to Kroos' departure
German soccer legend Toni Kroos is hanging up his boots this summer, following his final matches with Real Madrid in the Champions League and the European Championship for the national team. Kroos made the announcement on Tuesday.
The Real star has been with the team for a decade, during which time they've secured four top-tier championships.
Here's how the soccer community is reacting to Kroos' retirement:
- Marca: "The soccer world is stunned."
- Mundo Deportivo: "The soap opera surrounding Kroos' contract extension at Real Madrid has come to an end."
- Real Madrid: "We'd like to thank Toni Kroos, one of our most legendary players and a global soccer icon."
- Kroos himself stated in a Madrid-released statement: "I'll never forget this action-packed decade."
- Several teammates responded on social media. Kroos' Instagram announcement received 1.5 million likes within an hour.
- David Alaba (31) commented on Instagram: "You know I'm irate. I adore you, Anton, you legend!", accompanied by a broken heart, a crying smiley, and a crown.
- Vinicius Jr (23) tweeted a broken, red and white heart (Real's team color) and wrote: "ANTÔNIO" (the Portuguese version of Toni's name).
- Others contribute to the accolades were Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo, Eder Militao, James Rodríguez, Isco, Marcelo, and Raphael Varane.
- Fellow world champion Manuel Neuer (38) remarked: "What a career."
- And Mats Hummels (34) wrote: "What a player. It was an honor and a pleasure, Toni! Almost 20 years ago, we were together at the Grünwalder, and now we're meeting again at Wembley to bring this journey full circle."
The Champions League final between BVB and Real will take place at Wembley in ten days. It will be Kroos' swan song as a Real player.
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Source: symclub.org
