Toni Kroos (foto: Getty Images)
In a significant development for German football, Toni Kroos has announced his return to the national team for the upcoming European Championship in Germany.
The announcement, made on his Instagram account where he boasts over 44 million followers, marks a major turnaround for the 34-year-old midfielder.
Kroos, who had previously stepped away from international football following a disappointing campaign with Germany in the 2021 European Championship, has decided to don the national colors again. This decision comes at the behest of the national team coach, Julian Nagelsmann. Kroos expressed his motivation on Instagram, stating, "People, short and painless: From March onwards, I will play for the German national team again. Why? Because coach Julian Nagelsmann asked me to. But I also feel that we can achieve more with the team at the European Championship than people expect."
A veteran of 106 matches for Germany and a key member of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Kroos's return is seen as a significant boost for the German team. His experience and skill in the midfield are expected to be invaluable, especially in a tournament as prestigious and challenging as the European Championship.
Kroos's return was not only influenced by Nagelsmann but also by the encouragement of German football legends, current national players, fans, and others. The Real Madrid star's comeback is eagerly anticipated, and it adds an exciting dimension to the upcoming friendly matches against France and the Netherlands in March.