Storm erupts over football legend’s ‘immigration’ comment

A football star’s retirement has been overshadowed by a divisive comment made about his country’s immigration trend.

German football giant Toni Kroos’ retirement has been overshadowed by a divisive comment made about his country’s immigration trend.

Kroos released an emotional farewell letter following his final career game when his team was eliminated by Spain at Euro 2024 in Germany on Monday.

The 34-year-old confirmed his glittering career is now over — but the shine has been taken off his special moment by provocative comments that have sparked outrage in some sections of his country.

The Real Madrid icon’s final interview as a professional player stumbled into divisive territory when asked about his country’s political climate following last month’s European Parliament Elections in Germany.

The results recorded a general swing towards the right side of the country’s political landscape.

Kroos’ comments about the situation reflect that swing when he said the Euro 2024 host nation hadn’t been successful in managing its policy of mass immigration.

Kroos has lived in the Spanish capital for more than 10 years while playing his club football with the La Liga club.

He said on the Lanz & Precht podcast Germany is not the same country it was when he most recently lived there in 2014, The Telegraph first reported.

Toni Kroos is now retired. Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP.

“I believe that this control over certain issues has simply slipped away a little over the years and there’s a reason for that. In my opinion, the reason is that people have overwhelmed them,” he said.

“I think we didn’t manage it, this basically very positive approach that I support 1000 per cent, because I find that sensational, that people come to us from the outside and then are happy.

“I think we didn’t manage it, this basically very positive approach that I support 1000 per cent, because I find that sensational, that people come to us from the outside and then are happy.”

Kroos said he plans to continue to live in Spain because of how he now views his home country.

“I think Germany is a great country and I’m happy to be here, but it’s not really the same country that it was 10 years ago when we left, the midfielder said.

The most troubling claim is his belief that his daughter is safer living in Spain.

He said — when his daughter grows up — he would be more worried about her going out for social events in Germany than hi Spain.

“I wouldn’t have had that 10 years ago,” he said.

His career is not ending how he would have hoped after his team was knocked out in the quarter-finals when Spain scored a goal in extra time.

His final game will be remembered for an ugly tackle he executed against Pedri, where the Spanish star suffered a knee injury and has since been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Despite this he said he has no regrets about his decision to come back from his premature retirement in 2021.

In a social media post, Kroos wrote: “On September 29, 2023 my phone rang. Caller: Julian Nagelsmann. Request: return to the national team.

“The first thought in my head: I’m not stupid! First thought in my heart: f*** yeah! As we know, the heart decided.

“My first thought this morning on July 6, 2024: I’m glad I did it. Despite all the sadness and emptiness since the final whistle yesterday.

It’s all over. Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP.

“I have always seen more in the team than they have shown in recent years.

“But I didn’t expect that it would be possible in such a short time to have a really realistic chance of winning the title and being on a level with the best again!

“That’s why I’m very proud of what this team has achieved! And that can be the case for all of Germany again.

“A special thank you to you out there who made this home European Championship a special one. We have seen, experienced and felt you!

“On a personal level, I would like to thank you for the really special warmth and affection over the last few weeks. That was very special.

“And finally a request: Now that Germany has won back its favourite child (the national team): don’t let them go!

“The path of this team continues. And it really helps if you stand by them even in bad phases!

“Because I can assure you of one thing: this is a group of great people who give everything to be successful! Germany is someone again!!!”

Kroos, 34, leaves the game after trophy-laden career across Europe.

In Germany with Bayern Munich, he was a three-time Bundesliga winner with a Champions League medal to his name.

At Real Madrid, he won four LaLiga titles with an astonishing five Champions League medals.

At international level, he lifted the World Cup with Germany in 2014 but never again hit those same heights.