Kroos does not believe that the match against Spain will be the last of his career

|| AFP Agency

*** Spanish international Joselu Mato said he would like to “retire” his former teammate at Real Madrid***

Veteran German midfielder Toni Kroos has said he does not believe Friday’s Euro 2019 quarter-final against Spain will be the last of his career before he retires at the age of 34.

In May, the Real Madrid player announced that he would be ending his successful career at the end of the European Championship, so Friday’s match could be his last if the hosts are eliminated.

Asked by reporters about his Real Madrid teammate Joselu Mato’s comments that he would like to “retire” Kroos, the German replied: “I don’t feel like it’s going to be my last game and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The 2014 world champion, who retired from the German national team after Euro 2021 and returned last March, reiterated that the reason for his return to the ‘Mannschaft’ was “the desire to win the European Championship”.

“If I hadn’t seen the possibility of achieving it (the title), I wouldn’t have come back,” added Kroos, who said he was “not afraid” of what awaits him when he hangs up his boots.

“It’s a day that comes to all footballers,” he said with a smile. “Thank God I was able to make the decision myself, without anyone pushing me or making me feel like I should have done it earlier.”

Although he qualified: “I am aware that whatever I do, the hobbies or whatever I may try to do, it will never be as good as playing football.”

The six-time Champions League winner made his Bayern Munich debut in 2007, the same year that winger Lamine Yamal was born, one of the standout players for Spain at this European Championship, despite being just 16 years old.

“That doesn’t make me feel too young,” the German joked before calling Yamal “the most dangerous or at least one of the most dangerous players” for Barcelona last season.

36 YEARS FOR GERMANY WITHOUT WINNING AGAINST SPAIN (PHOTO FRAME)

Since their triumph at Euro 1988 in another edition held on their territory, which marked the end of Miguel Muñoz’s time as Spanish coach, Germany have gone 36 years without defeating Spain in an official match.

The World Cup in Qatar ended with a draw after Germany was on the ropes thanks to a goal from Morata.

The total number of matches is 26, with eight wins for Spain, nine for Germany and nine draws, with 32 goals in favour of the Spanish and 31 against. In the European Championships, two Spanish wins and one for Germany.