Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos made a surprising announcement on Thursday, marking his return to the Germany national team after a three-year hiatus, just in time for the upcoming European Championship set to take place in Germany. The 34-year-old, a key figure in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory, had initially retired from international duty in July 2021 following Germany’s 2-0 defeat to England in the Euro 2020 last 16 match at Wembley.
Kroos, who boasts an impressive international career with 106 caps for Germany since his debut in 2010, has also enjoyed success at the club level, securing five Champions League titles during his stints with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. In a social media post, Kroos shared his decision, stating that he is returning to the national team because the coach asked him, expressing his desire to contribute, and conveying his belief in the team’s potential at the Euros.
Germany, serving as the hosts for the Euros commencing on June 14 and spanning across 10 cities, is seeking a resurgence after facing challenges in recent tournaments. Despite being four-time world champions, Germany experienced early exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The team, now led by coach Julian Nagelsmann since September 2023, faces the task of regaining form as they prepare for the upcoming matches against France and Netherlands in March. Kroos’s return injects experience and skill into the squad, raising hopes for a formidable performance at the Euros.