Ex-Real Madrid striker Joselu said that he wants to retire his former teammate Toni Kroos when Spain ... [+]
Ex-Real Madrid striker Joselu said that he wants to retire his former teammate Toni Kroos when Spain meets Germany in the European Championship quarterfinals on Friday.
Despite being at the height of his powers at the age of 34, and perhaps playing his best season yet at the Bernabeu last term, Kroos shocked the football world by announcing that he will hang up his boots this summer.
The Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley last month, which saw him lift the big-eared trophy for an impressive sixth time, was Kroos' ultimate club outing.
And with the Euros now into their knockout phase, each Germany match could also be the last time we get to see one of football's greatest ever midfielders in action.
With Spain facing hosts Germany in the continental tournament's quarterfinals on Friday, Kroos' former Madrid teammate Joselu, who has also now left Los Blancos, said that he and his compatriots want to finally retire the iconic number 8.
"Germany is a great team, [and] also favourites to win the title. We hope to retire Toni on Friday. It has been a pleasure to play with him, he reflects everything that Real Madrid is - all the values of the club," Joselu said.
Joselu added that Kroos has been a "teammate" and "a friend within the locker room".
"I have had a lot of advice from him, I have spoken to him a lot and it has been a pleasure for me. He is a fundamental player for the German national team and he has been for Real Madrid [too]. We have to keep a close eye on him on Friday."
In order to win and advance to the last four, Joselu insisted that Spain has "to believe in ourselves".
"We don't want to harm any player from another team, least of all Toni. I love him, I will always believe in him, but I think Friday is his last game. It's a shame that we have to say goodbye to Toni like this, but hopefully Friday we win and it's his last game, for our sake," Joselu concluded.
