Toni Kroos admits he doesn't know whether he will extend his Real Madrid contract by the summer, or if he will play for Germany at Euro 2024.
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Kroos addresses Real Madrid futureMidfielder linked with retirementCould yet play for Germany at Euro 2024Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Kroos explained there are still several factors that could determine whether he leaves the Bernabeu when his contract expires in June – and potentially retire altogether – as well as deciding to come out of international retirement in time to represent Germany in a home European Championship. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said the midfielder would have "some balls" to call time on his career in as little as four months.
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Speaking to the press ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, Kroos said: "I always tell you the truth, and the truth is I don't know. I'm thinking about what I want to do. I haven't decided anything yet. It makes me happy that people want me to play one more year, that's better than the other way around, wanting me to stop! It depends on a lot of things. I want to end my career at the highest level possible. I'm enjoying the moment. I deserve a bit more time to take the decision, I want it to be the correct one. And the same for the national team. I'm thinking about it, but like with my renewal, I don't know."
Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
34-year-old Kroos is out of contract with Real Madrid at the end of the season and has been no stranger to speculation of early retirement, rather like former international team-mate Philipp Lahm, who was 33 when he hung his boots in 2017. Meanwhile, Kroos retired from international football in 2021 following Germnay's disappointing Euro 2020 campaign, but there have been calls for him to reverse that decision ahead of Euro 2024.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kroos is a vocal detractor of awards like the Ballon d'Or, suggesting a team sport shouldn't recognise individuals. He previously said on his own podcast: "My opinion is that individual awards are unnecessary in a team sport. I've always said that and I stand by that. No single player would have won anything on their own. It is prestigious, but not important. That's a big difference. My idea is simply that I don't find it important, or not as important as other players. No single player would have won anything on their own."