Toni Kroos wrote an emotional farewell letter one day after playing his last professional game in Germany's extra-time defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship. "29/9/2023. My phone rings. Caller: Julian Nagelsmann. Reason: Return to the national team. My first thought in my mind: “Don't be stupid!” First thought in my heart: “Fuck yes!” And the heart decided.”

And he continued: “My first thought this morning on 6/7/2024: 'I'm glad I did it.' Despite all the sadness and emptiness since yesterday's final whistle. I've seen more and more in the team than it has shown in recent years. But I didn't expect that it would be possible in such a short time to have a really realistic chance at the title and to be up there with the best again! That's why I'm so proud of what this team did! And may the whole of Germany be again. Special thanks to you, who have made this home a special one. On a personal level, I would like to thank you for the warmth and true affection, which has been very special over the past few weeks. This was very special.”

Kroos’ most heartfelt moment comes when he refers to the paragraph in which he analyses the blow that injured Pedri: “And finally a request. Now that Germany has recovered: Don’t abandon them! The path of this team continues. And it helps enormously if you support them even in bad times! Because I can assure you one thing: This is a group of great people who do everything possible to succeed! Germany is Germany again!!! That’s why it remains very important for me to apologize to Pedri and hope he gets well soon. Obviously, I didn’t mean to hurt you. A speedy recovery and all the best. You are a great player.”

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