Retiring Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is not feeling nostalgic ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain. If they lose, it will be his last match as a player.
Kroos, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid last month, will retire after the Euros. He came out of international retirement this year to try to win the one major trophy missing from his collection, which includes the 2014 World Cup.
“It is the second most important title you can win and it would have a huge importance for me,” the 34-year-old said on Wednesday. “If I did not see having the chance to do it with the team I would not have done it (come back).
“It would be a sensational end but I have also considered the possibility of it not happening. I am not nostalgic at all and did not bring any treats for you (journalists) either,” he told a press conference when asked about a possible defeat on Friday marking the end of his career.
“I do not expect tomorrow to be my last game so I assume we will see each other again.”
Germany is aiming for their first major title in 10 years after poor performances in recent tournaments, including early exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“There were big doubts about the tournament before it started. That’s normal after the previous tournaments we had. So we’ve now reached a minimal goal and whatever the result we won’t be speaking about a tournament catastrophe here,” said Kroos.
He added that the team wanted to reach the last eight to avoid another early exit and embarrassment, especially on home soil.
“But anything that comes now is not a bonus. We, as a team, have the goal to win the tournament. So it is not a bonus but we are at a stage in the tournament we wanted to reach.
“We should be satisfied but the demand within the team is to progress further and we are convinced we can do it.”
Germany has not beaten Spain at a tournament since the 1988 Euros. Spain’s Joselu, a teammate of Kroos at Real Madrid, said he wanted to send the midfielder into retirement.
“Because we will win? Is that a good enough answer,” Kroos said when asked why Joselu’s wish may not come true.
“We have a lot to offer against it and we have good chances. The Spaniards play good football, we have to give them that, and so do we,” Kroos said.
“You can expect a relatively interesting game. It will not be boring, that’s my own feeling. I will do everything so his (Joselu’s) wish is not fulfilled.”
