"The faith in this team has grown enormously. We have learned that we can survive difficult situations; we believe in our quality much more than in recent months," said the 34-year-old before Friday afternoon's match in Stuttgart.
After 10 years in the Real Madrid shirt, he said that winning Euro 2024 at home was the driving force behind his return to the German team, after his initial retirement from international football in 2021. "I wouldn't have returned if this idea wasn't there." in my head and it was part of the conversations I had with [coach] Julian Nagelsmann," said the 113-capped midfielder.
He is still missing a European Championship title in his career, despite having won 34 trophies for club and country since he began his career in 2007, Xinhua reports. "You're telling me that (Spanish winger) Lamine Yamal was born that year and now he makes me feel older. He is a great, great player and he is supposed to have been Barcelona's best player last season," added the midfielder.
After announcing his retirement from football after the tournament, Kroos said he is sure that crossing swords with Spain will not be his last game, despite Spanish striker Joselu announcing that he "hopes to retire" by defeating the tournament hosts. "It's very kind of you to have that idea, but mine is different," Kroos responded.
The German midfielder said he was aware: "In a few weeks I will stop playing football, but I am not homesick. This day comes for everyone and I am happy to have decided on my own."
There will be days when "I will miss football in the future," he said. "There will be nothing I can do as well as football. But I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life."
The duel against Spain is decided by the team that dominates the center of the field. "Whoever takes the lead in the center will probably win the match. We are aware of this and have prepared solutions for all possible situations," said the 2014 world champion.
After 10 years in the Real Madrid shirt, he said that winning Euro 2024 at home was the driving force behind his return to the German team, after his initial retirement from international football in 2021. "I wouldn't have returned if this idea wasn't there." in my head and it was part of the conversations I had with [coach] Julian Nagelsmann," said the 113-capped midfielder.
He is still missing a European Championship title in his career, despite having won 34 trophies for club and country since he began his career in 2007, Xinhua reports. "You're telling me that (Spanish winger) Lamine Yamal was born that year and now he makes me feel older. He is a great, great player and he is supposed to have been Barcelona's best player last season," added the midfielder.
After announcing his retirement from football after the tournament, Kroos said he is sure that crossing swords with Spain will not be his last game, despite Spanish striker Joselu announcing that he "hopes to retire" by defeating the tournament hosts. "It's very kind of you to have that idea, but mine is different," Kroos responded.
The German midfielder said he was aware: "In a few weeks I will stop playing football, but I am not homesick. This day comes for everyone and I am happy to have decided on my own."
There will be days when "I will miss football in the future," he said. "There will be nothing I can do as well as football. But I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life."
The duel against Spain is decided by the team that dominates the center of the field. "Whoever takes the lead in the center will probably win the match. We are aware of this and have prepared solutions for all possible situations," said the 2014 world champion.