by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Sealed off from the public, Toni Kroos' speech in the Germany locker room triggered additional tears.
Driven by his emotional retirement after a stunning career, the 34-year-old encouraged the team he now leaves to continue with their team spirit and faith.
Having now retired from professional football, the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid midfielder will no longer be on the pitch, but seemed convinced that the squad he rejoined lately can survive without him.
Germany not only managed to return to football's top level, but Kroos made peace with his home country and the national team.
Following early exits in previous tournaments, the six-time Champions League winner retired from international football in 2021, until he was tempted back in January 2024.
Now, with Germany's defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, Kroos' last dance is over. A long queue of well-wishers mounted up on the Stuttgart pitch after the final whistle.
Spain players, many of whom he had played alongside and against while at Real Madrid, Germany teammates and officials came to hug him and give him words of appreciation.
A total of 34 trophies, such as the 2014 World Cup, six Champions Leagues with Bayern and Real, six Club World Championships, and several German and Spanish national titles and domestic cup give proof of his achievements.
Perhaps more significant is his successful return to the national team, turning into the team's leader and conductor, praised by fans and the public.
After ten years in Real Madrid's shirt, following a noisy departure from Bayern, the circle of inner peace closed for the 114-cap midfielder. Late appreciation in Germany for him comes as the topping on the ice cream.
The man, once mocked as a "side-pass merchant" accused of slowing down the game, turned into the driving and inspiring source.
For minutes, he strolled over the pitch, buried in thought, before he gave back applause to the crowd cheering him on.
"Toni, Toni," rang the cheers from the stands.
"It made me happy to help create happiness for German football and the people," he said, without mentioning his own importance.
Slipping into the role of Mr Cool, giving Germany stability and calmness in their game, "He is peeing ice cubes," Nagelsmann once said, adding that Kroos' achievements stand for an exceptional career.
"There will be times when I will miss football badly," he said.
Building up a youth academy to support young talents and carrying more for his children is next for him.
He quickly went to see his wife and children in the stands and the latest photos showed him hand-in-hand with his children heading for a peaceful spot in the interior of the Stuttgart Arena, approaching a new chapter in his life. ■
