Toni Kroos bade an emotional farewell to Real Madrid fans at a sold-out Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday (May 25) as the German midfielder played his final home game after a remarkable decade with the Spanish giants. A goalless draw with Real Betis was largely irrelevant with Madrid confirmed as LaLiga champions and all the European qualification and relegation spots decided, so the evening was about celebrating the 34-year-old Kroos. One of Madrid’s most successful ever players after making 464 appearances and helping them win more than 20 major trophies including four European Cups, Kroos announced that he will retire after this year’s European Championship on home soil.
LaLiga champions Real Madrid played out a goalless draw with Real Betis as retiring midfielder Toni Kroos played his last match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Germany international, who will retire from professional football after Euro 2024, was given a guard of honour by both sets of players before the match and withdrawn in the 86th minute with the whole stadium rising to applaud him.
Kroos has won 22 trophies in his decade with Los Blancos.
Betis thought they had opened the scoring in the first half when Johnny Cardoso found the net from close range following Juan Miranda's free-kick but Marc Roca was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
Willian Jose poked in a near-post finish after the break but the flag was raised for offside once more.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo missed opportunities for the hosts as both sides settled for a point in their final league match of the season.
Attention now turns to next Saturday's Champions League final at Wembley when Carlo Ancelotti's side will face Borussia Dortmund in their quest for a 15th European title.
