Toni Kroos Thanks Real Madrid for His Bernabéu Farewell
Toni Kroos tried to set aside all the feelings and emotions of the last few days following his farewell at Santiago Bernabeu, as he prepares to play his final match for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. He urged respect for Dortmund, emphasizing that "beating the Germans is never easy."
"We know it's going to be my last game for Real Madrid, but the farewell happened two days ago and it was very emotional, special, and beautiful. From today, I leave that behind, I don't think about such a beautiful moment because this week we have a very important game and it's not easy for my mind to focus on it being my last game for Real Madrid. It's the most important club game in the world, so I'm only thinking about winning, not about myself," Kroos stated.
He also recalled the moments at Bernabeu during his farewell when he held back tears until hugging his three children. "I tried to hold back too, I thought 'I'm strong,' but when I saw my daughter, it was very difficult. It's beautiful to experience these moments with them because I will never forget them, and neither will they. It's for a lifetime, it was a night forever. If one day at home I want to cry, I will look at these images."
"When I arrived in 2014, I didn't expect a farewell like this. I've always enjoyed playing at Bernabeu, but the last day was very special, seeing that I'm important to the people for what I've done on and off the field. This means a lot to me for my whole life," he added.
Focusing on the UEFA Champions League final, the most important match of the year, Kroos warned about the danger posed by Borussia Dortmund.
"We are facing a very tough match. I watched Dortmund's games against Atleti and PSG, and they can make us suffer a lot. They defend well together, have very fast players on the counter. It will be difficult. Beating the Germans is never easy," the German midfielder opined.
"This season, we've played against all the German teams. Union Berlin, Leipzig was tough, and Bayern is always difficult. Now, Dortmund won't be easy. It's the most important match of the year. We will close everything at Wembley," he concluded.