Germany’s Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos deliver parting messages after the EUROs

In the aftermath to Germany’s defeat in the 2024 European Championship, Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer and the retiring Toni Kroos released messages on their Instagram. As @iMiaSanMia captured, Neuer’s statement was brief:

Unfortunately, the dream has been shattered. It is even more bitter because this team deserved more, even after this game. Thank you all for carrying us from the first minute and making this home European Championship even more special. THANK YOU!

However, Kroos’ message, via @iMiaSanMia again, was a lot longer. In very fitting fashion, it was eloquent, emotional, intelligent, well thought out and right on the mark:

on September 29th, 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: S**t, yes! As we all know, the heart decides. My first thought this morning on July 6th, 2024: I’m glad I did it. Despite all the sadness and emptiness since the final whistle yesterday. I’ve always seen more in the team than they’ve 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 to be on par with the best again. That’s why I’m very proud of what this team has achieved!

And all of Germany can be proud again too. A special thank you to all of you out there who made this home European Championship a special one. We saw you, experienced you and felt you! On a personal level, I would like to thank you for a 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 favorite child, don’t let it go! This team’s journey continues. And it helps a lot if you stand by them even in the bad times! 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!!!

I would also like to say something very important: I apologize and hope you get well soon to Pedri. Obviously it wasn’t my intention to hurt you. I hope you get better quickly and all the best. You’re a great player.

Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s crushing 2-1 loss to Spain? We have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. We have takes on Julian Nagelsmann’s controversial starting XI, a rundown of the scoring and substitutions, and ideas on how this all fell apart in front of an absolutely electric crowd. You can get the podcast on Spotify or below: