<p>Following Julian Nagelsmann’s request, Toni Kroos has returned to the German national team, thanks to his stellar play for Real Madrid. Thus, he confirmed his participation in the next matches against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/france-national-team-tv-schedule/">France</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/netherlands-national-team-tv-schedule-20221020-wst-400055.html">the Netherlands</a>.</p>



<p>“Guys, let me tell you. I will play for Germany again in March. Why? Because I was asked by the federal coach, I’m in the mood and I’m sure that with the team at the European Championship, much more is possible than most believe right now!”</p>



<p>“Julian contacted me and asked me if I could imagine it, which wasn’t in my mind until then. We agreed I would take the idea with me and see what happens. I’ve thought about the idea: What if so? What if not? With every conversation, without going into too much detail, I became more and more convinced.</p>



<p>“That’s why I wanted to decide in good time so as not to keep anyone waiting. I’m very, very happy with my decision. It took me a while to be certain. Of course I want to help. But I’m definitely not the savior either. I’m just a cog that meshes with the others to hopefully make it work. I know the boys, I know the players, all of them have great qualities.</p>



<p>“Now it’s time to show that as a team I still feel good and physically ready to do it without any problems. The fact that I’m needed for the tournament in my country is an incentive”, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3prWbbNTT2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=0d56db3e-a900-402a-b939-e3148553bb73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said on Instagram</a>.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="How to watch EURO 2024 on TV &amp; Streaming 🏆" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n0Q39wz9ojA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>When and why did Kroos retire from national team?</h2>



<p>This is great news for Julian Nagelsmann and his team as they prepare for a potentially eventful summer of international soccer. After losing in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Euro, Kroos initially left the German team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240223_WST_491339_Kroos-Germany-1200x670_d55774e8.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-491389" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Kroos-Germany-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Kroos-Germany-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Kroos-Germany-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Kroos-Germany.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The midfielder made 106 appearances while wearing the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> shirt. The DFB had previously won the World Cup in 2014. However, their 2018 performance was lackluster, as they crashed out of the competition in the group stage. Germany repeated their 2018 misfortune by falling out of the tournament early in 2022, making their competitive international debut without <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/toni-kroos-slams-spanish-talents-saudi-move-as-embarrassing-20230824-WST-451820.html">Kroos</a>.</p>



<h2>What did Germany manager say about Kroos and Euro 2024?</h2>



<p>The midfielder has been in sensational form recently for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a>. In a sea of promising young players, he serves as an example of consistency and maturity as his side seeks a third La Liga championship in as many years. This has led coach Julian Nagelsmann to state that the rest of the team is embracing the veteran’s return.</p>



<p>“Toni has a very clear view of the state of our national team. With every conversation I’ve had with him, I’ve sensed an increasing enthusiasm to be part of the home European Championships and support us, despite his actual retirement.”</p>



<p>“I spoke to a lot of players on the phone beforehand and listened carefully to whether anyone might have a problem with Kroos. On the contrary! Everyone was very positive. He will fit perfectly into the team we have in mind as a link player in midfield. He will do us good with his experience and routine,” Nagelsmann told <a href="https://www.spiegel.de/sport/julian-nagelsmann-selbstzweifel-kenne-ich-eigentlich-nicht-a-9f2ba72e-56f8-4823-8084-9fd25f6c7ea0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Der Spiegel</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Kroos surprises Germany with decision: Will he play Euro 2024?

Following Julian Nagelsmann's request, Toni Kroos has returned to the Germany national team with the chance to play in Euro 2024.


<p>Pep Guardiola, manager of treble champions Manchester City, allegedly has his sights set on Real Madrid senior midfielder Toni Kroos.</p>



<p>Last year, rumors circulated that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/toni-kroos-slams-spanish-talents-saudi-move-as-embarrassing-20230824-WST-451820.html">Kroos</a> was debating whether to retire or continue his career in Madrid. Given that he had already <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/germanys-kroos-retires-from-international-football-20210702-CMS-338720.html">retired from Germany</a> at the international level, this would have hardly been a shocking turn of events.</p>



<p>The 33-year-old player could have left Los Blancos at the end of the season. However, he instead decided to sign a one-year extension in June, making his total time with the club 10 years.</p>



<h2>Kroos is a stalwart in Ancelotti’s side</h2>



<p>Toni Kroos’ play so far this season is proof that you’re never too old to achieve your goals. The German ace has continued his stellar play with the Whites over the last several seasons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">City to consider move for Madrid Legend 🇩🇪<br><br>Manchester City are keen to sign Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos when his contract expires next summer, with City willing to pay the 33-year-old £13m per season.<a href="https://twitter.com/mundodeportivo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mundodeportivo</a> <a href="https://t.co/3iEZgf8Jhg">pic.twitter.com/3iEZgf8Jhg</a></p>— SPORF (@Sporf) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sporf/status/1712763685171515806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Kroos has been a consistent starter for Carlo Ancelotti’s team in recent weeks. Even though younger players like Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga were favored early in the season, he still managed to earn back his place.</p>



<p>It is widely believed that Ancelotti will leave his position at the conclusion of the season, and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> have a plethora of talented central midfielders on hand. Therefore, it is not certain whether the veteran will return for an 11th year in the Spanish capital.</p>



<h2>Manchester City want to reunite the midfielder with Guardiola</h2>



<p>It’s possible that this is Kroos’ final year at Santiago Bernabeu. At 38 years old, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/luka-modric-hints-at-january-exit-amid-playing-time-struggles-20231013-WST-462071.html">Luka Modric</a> is being extensively linked with a transfer away from Europe entirely, but it seems that the German still has fans at some of the top clubs in the world.</p>



<p>Reports out of Spain suggest that Pep Guardiola is keeping tabs on the situation. According to Spanish outlets <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20231012/1002085711/guardiola-olvida-toni-kroos.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mundo Deportivo</a> and <a href="https://www.defensacentral.com/real_madrid/1696958430-guardiola-va-a-por-su-fichaje-le-da-el-doble-que-florentino-para-quitarselo-al-madrid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Defensa Central</a>, Guardiola remembers the good things about playing with Kroos at Bayern.</p>



<p>They only lasted one season together at the Allianz Arena, with the midfielder getting 51 appearances in that season. Now, the current <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-uefa-champions-league-and-europa-league-on-us-tv-and-internet/">UEFA Champions League</a> winners are apparently willing to give Kroos a $15.7m per season deal, which would make a reunion with his former manager plausible.</p>



<p>IMAGO / Pressinphoto: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</p>


Guardiola planning blockbuster move for Real Madrid midfielder

It has been stated that Manchester City's Pep Guardiola is keen on reuniting with Toni Kroos of Real Madrid

Guardiola planning blockbuster move for Real Madrid midfielder -


<p>Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga joined the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/list-of-footballers-signed-by-saudi-arabia-this-summer-20230728-WST-446173.html">long list of players</a> to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, but <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> midfielder Toni Kroos took exception to the move. Kroos, who is now 33 and is winding down his career, has won everything. Therefore, he has nothing more to prove from a professional soccer player’s standpoint. </p>



<p>Replying to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwTfxOdogwP/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fabrizio Romano’s news of Veiga joining Al Ahli</a>, Kroos called the 21-year-old’s switch ’embarrassing’ for a young player. Kroos has been vocal about his opposition to young players making moves specifically based on money. Speaking on his podcast, <em>Einfach mal Luppen</em>, Kroos said he is not a fan of players going over to Saudi Arabia. This is particularly true when they are young.</p>



<p>Gabri Veiga, at the age of 21, is a major talent in Spain. The Celta Vigo midfielder had been fielding offers from a host of European elites. For example, Fabrizio Romano reported Veiga was on the verge of joining Serie A winners Napoli. However, the wealth of Saudi Arabia was too much for Veiga to pass up.</p>



<p>Veiga’s now-former manager at Celta Vigo, Rafa Benitez, does not take exception to the move. Even though he is losing one of his better players in the midfield, the move helps the Spanish side financially. Plus, Benitez thinks Veiga’s career is far from over. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco played under Benitez in China, and now the Belgian plays for Atletico Madrid.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Celta manager Rafa Benítez confirms: “Al Ahli deal will change Gabri Veiga’s life in positive. It hurts but will also help our club financially”. 🟢🇸🇦<br><br>“Going to Saudi at 20? It’s not just place for old players. I had Carrasco in China, then he returned and he’s playing UCL”. <a href="https://t.co/YBw4mgUPnr">pic.twitter.com/YBw4mgUPnr</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1694642309248225767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h2>Kroos takes aim at young players in Saudi Arabia</h2>



<p>Veiga is not the first ‘young’ player to move to Saudi Arabia. This summer, 24-year-old forward Jota moved from Celtic to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> for over $30 million. Newcastle talent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saint-maximin-set-to-join-al-ahli-after-newcastle-departure-20230729-WST-446406.html">Allan Saint-Maximin</a>, at the age of 26, was a star for the Magpies. However, he made the jump for an undisclosed fee. </p>



<p>Given the Saudi Pro League’s riches, the transfers are not looking to stop. The rumors for the league’s next signing include the likes of <a href="https://theathletic.com/4755052/2023/08/07/mohamed-salah-saudi-arabia-transfer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mohamed Salah</a>, <a href="https://onefootball.com/en/news/paris-saint-germains-marco-verratti-reflecting-on-saudi-arabia-switch-37734659" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marco Verratti</a> and <a href="https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-varane-transfer-message-27575865" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raphael Varane</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Toni Kroos slams Spanish talent's Saudi move as embarrassing

Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga joined the long list of players to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, but Real Madrid's Toni Kroos took exception.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Toni Kroos"

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Kroos surprises Germany with decision: Will he play Euro 2024?

Leagues: EPL

Guardiola planning blockbuster move for Real Madrid midfielder

Celta Vigo

Toni Kroos slams Spanish talent's Saudi move as embarrassing