MUNICH.- The German star Toni Kroos officially said goodbye to football on Sunday, two days after his team’s dramatic defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
Substitute Mike Merino’s goal in the final minute of extra time gave Spain a 2-1 win, eliminating the host nation and ending Kroos’ career.
“So that’s it,” Kroos wrote in an Instagram post on Sunday. “But before I take a break and think about what has happened in the last 17 years, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to thank everyone for accepting me as I am.”
The champion of the World Cup 2014 He thanked the fans, clubs, coaches and his teammates, as well as his friends and family before adding that “there is nothing better than seeing your children proud of their father.”
Kroos won a string of titles with his clubs, most of them with Real Madrid but also with Bayern Munich – six Champions Leagues, four Spanish league titles, three Bundesliga titles, three German Cups and one Copa del Rey.
Kroos, 34, announced in May that he would retire at the end of Euro 2024.
This meant that his 114th cap for Germany turned out to be his last.
The midfielder ended his post by saying: “Lastly: Thank you to football! This beautiful game. And… you’re welcome! Over and Out.”
Uruguay left Brazil out:
Sergio Rochet opened the penalty shootout by saving Éder Militão’s shot and Uruguay reached the semifinals of the Copa América with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory on Saturday after the teams tied 0-0 in a tough match.
The South American classic offered little football and plenty of fouls: the teams combined for a total of 41 — 26 for Uruguay — and just four shots on goal.
“The feeling is enormous because of what my country is, we are very few,” said midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who was in charge of converting the shot that sealed the series. “This feeling is indescribable.”
