Report – Ancelotti has not lost hope of convincing Kroos to reverse his decision to retire
League Plus – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has left the door open for Toni Kroos to reverse his decision to retire as a professional footballer this summer.
At the end of last month, Kroos announced his retirement from playing after representing Germany in the European Championship this summer.
Consequently, the 34-year-old played his final match for Real Madrid on Saturday evening, helping them to a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final.
Kroos’s contract with Los Blancos is set to expire at the end of June, but it was believed he would sign another one-year deal to stay in the Spanish capital.
The midfielder was again an influential figure for Real Madrid against Dortmund, providing the assist for Dani Carvajal to seal the breakthrough at Wembley, before leaving the field to a standing ovation.
Kroos will now participate with his country in the UEFA Euro 2024 before bringing down the curtain on an amazing career that began at Bayern Munich in 2007.
The German said, “As I have always said, Real Madrid is my last team and will remain so. I am happy and proud, because I found in my mind the right timing for my decision and that I can choose it myself. My ambition has always been to choose that for myself, ending my career at the highest level of performance.”
However, speaking after the Champions League final, Ancelotti revealed that he has not given up hope of convincing the German to make a shock switch.
Ancelotti told reporters after the match: “I am really grateful to Kroos. He finished his career at the top, and there is no way to end his career higher than that. He had the courage to end his career and he is a legend in this club.”
He concluded, “All the fans are grateful to him for his behavior and professionalism. I told him that we are waiting for him to change his mind. We are waiting for you.”
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