SportsSpanish applause marks heartfelt farewell for Toni Kroos

Spanish applause marks heartfelt farewell for Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos in the Euro 2024 match against Spain
Toni Kroos in the Euro 2024 match against Spain
Images source: © EPA, PAP | FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

1:02 PM EDT, July 6, 2024

The Euro 2024 quarterfinal turned out to be Toni Kroos's last match for the German national team. The Spaniards, though busy with their advance to the semifinal, did not forget about Toni Kroos. They rewarded him with loud applause after the match.

On Friday, the Spanish national team defeated the Germans in the blockbuster Euro 2024 quarterfinal. La Roja scored the decisive goal to make it 2-1 in overtime, denying the Germans a chance to win the trophy in the tournament they are hosting. The Spaniards, who have won all five of their matches, advanced to the semifinal.

Before the tournament, Toni Kroos announced that his last game in Euro 2024 would be his last for the German national team. The 34-year-old midfielder decided to retire from sports, which is a painful blow for many of his fans.

Toni Kroos's last opponent was the Spanish national team. This is a symbolic coincidence since a large part of the midfielder's club career was connected with Spain. From 2014 to 2024, he dazzled with his skills at Real Madrid.

After the quarterfinal, the German national team players thanked their predominantly German supporters in the stands. They also went to a part of the stadium where the Spanish fans were located. There, a beautiful event took place.

The Spaniards greeted Toni Kroos with thunderous applause and honored him for his representative and club achievements. For a decade, he contributed to Real Madrid's successes and became a key leader of the team.

Journalist Florian Plettenberg shared a short video on social media that garnered almost exclusively positive reactions. The behavior of the Spaniards once again reminded everyone of the great reputation Toni Kroos has earned over the years in world football.