Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is confident that the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain will not mark the end of his glittering career which he wants to end with the continental title that is eluding him.
Kroos, 34, ended his club career with victory in the Champions League final with Real Madrid's victory over Borussia Dortmund. He said he will quit for good after the Euros where he wants to lift the trophy with Germany on July 14.
Kroos upbeat despite poor German record
Saturday's date with Spain, widely considered the best team so far in the tournament, will be a huge challenge for the German team which has not beaten Spain in a tournament match since 1988.
Spain beat Germany in both previous knock-out matches, the Euro 2008 final and 2010 World Cup semis, but Kroos remains upbeat.
"I don't expect it to be my last game," Kroos told reporters on Wednesday at Germany's base camp in Herzogenaurach.
"We have set ourselves the aim to win the tournament."
As a result, he said he is not entering his 114th cap with "any kind of nostalgia" and insisted that reaching the last eight was not a bonus yet.
Euros already a success due to turnaround
However, he still spoke of a success to have advanced because there had been plenty of doubts around the team before the home tournament.
"There were huge doubts from all sides beforehand. We achieved a certain minimum goal. You can no longer speak of a disaster," he said.
Euro title the only one missing
Kroos came out of international retirement in March and then said in May he would end his career after the Euros.
He won the 2014 World Cup with Germany and many titles with Bayern Munich and Real where he had played since 2014 and won five of his six Champions League crowns.
The only major trophy he has not won are the Euros, and Kroos praised the turnaround of the team which is unbeaten in the eight matches since his return.
"I see us prepared because we have a different belief," Kroos said, knowing from his own career that you have to "feel and experience" such moments.
Praise for Yamal and bid not to make Joselu wish come true
Kroos readily praised Spain's new 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal who along with fellow winger Nico Williams has stood out at the Euros but also said that experience was a main factor.
"He is a player who hasn't played so many quarter-finals. We want to be a different opponent than Spain's previous ones. We want fight him well so that he can't play like he has done so far," Kroos said.
Kroos also had an answer for Real team-mate Joselu who said earlier Wednesday at the Spanish team camp: "Let's hope that we can bid Toni farewell into retirement on Friday. I believe Friday will be Toni's last game."
Countered Kroos: "I can understand that. But we have a lot against it and a good chance. I'll let him have his wish and do everything I can to make sure it doesn't come true!"
