mage copyright: Getty Images
2023/24 UEFA Champions League
Final
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wembley Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 1 June 2024
Kick-off is at 21h00
Toni Kroos is looking to cap off a glorious decade at Real Madrid by helping them win a record 15th title against Borussia Dortmund in the
UEFA Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday, June 1.
The 34-year-old midfielder announced on May 21 that he would be hanging up his boots after Euro 2024 on home soil and bid an emotional farewell to the club's fans in his final appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Betis four days later.
Kroos has been a lynchpin in the midfield alongside the evergreen Luca Modric since 2014 and the pair have helped Los Blancos win Europe's most coveted club trophy four times in the last 10 years.
The Germany international was given a guard of honour as he made his onto the pitch for Real's final game of the La Liga season and fans displayed a massive tifo with the words 'thank you legend' at one end of the ground.
Kroos has played an integral role for Carlo Ancelotti's side on the European stage this term as they reached the final for the sixth time in 11 years, featuring in all but one of their 12 matches.
Image copyright: Getty Images
The Hansa Rostock youth product revealed that he decided to announcement his retirement early so that there wouldn't be any distractions in the week leading up to the crunch clash with Dortmund.
"It's not easy to talk, but I can only say thank you. To all of madridismo, to the club, to my team-mates and to the stadium, I've always felt at home. I couldn't ask for more. It's been 10 unforgettable years," he told Real Madrid TV.
"You come with a different feeling when you know it's the last game. But I told myself that I wanted to enjoy myself and I have done that in these 85 minutes, as I have always done when I've played here.
"It's so special. In the years to come, when I don't have that, I'm going to notice it. I was pretty strong up until the moment I saw my kids.
"It's a special team, I've always said it's a good group. Everyone has given me the respect I deserved. It's not just a group of good players, they're very good people. I've always felt very comfortable in this team.
"I wanted to make it official before this game so that, after tomorrow, we can forget about it. The best way to leave would be to win a title."
Head-to-Head (Last Five UEFA Champions League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Dortmund wins - 1
Real Madrid wins - 2
Draws - 2
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