Jose Mourinho Calls for UEFA Intervention Following Real Madrid’s Champions League Victory
After Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley, Jose Mourinho humorously suggested that UEFA should prevent Toni Kroos from retiring.
Real Madrid clinched their 15th European title with goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior, and Kroos played his final game for the club before his planned retirement after the summer’s Euros.
Mourinho’s Call for Intervention
During TNT Sports’ post-match coverage, Mourinho expressed his admiration for Kroos and jokingly called for UEFA to make a rule preventing him from retiring:
“It should be forbidden. FIFA and UEFA, they have so many rules and decisions. Make a decision and stop the guy from retiring!”
Kroos, a pivotal figure in Real Madrid’s midfield, has made 464 appearances for the club over a decade, contributing 28 goals and 98 assists. Despite Mourinho’s lighthearted plea, Kroos has confirmed that his decision to retire is final, stating firmly in a pre-final interview with CBS Sports:
“No, it’s done. Once I take a decision, it’s done.”
Kroos’ Legacy and Final Match
Kroos received a standing ovation as he was substituted towards the end of the final, and he celebrated with fans post-match, diving into the crowd. His legacy at Real Madrid is firmly established, having won six Champions League titles, matching the achievements of teammates like Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, and Nacho.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Kroos before the final:
“His decision to go is the decision of a great, a decision of character. We are saying farewell to a footballing great who we have been lucky to have here. Toni could close his career with a Champions League, and at an individual level he deserves it, but his career doesn’t need another Champions League. He has been a fantastic player for 10 years, he had made history with Real Madrid and in world football.”
Almost Joining Manchester United
Reflecting on his career, Kroos recounted how close he came to joining Manchester United in 2014. After positive talks with then-manager David Moyes, a verbal agreement was reached, but the move fell through when Louis van Gaal replaced Moyes. Kroos commented:
“I’m not someone who thinks about hypotheticals. Yes, it was close. I almost went to Manchester United. But that’s not how things turned out. I don’t have these what-if-thoughts. Because there are no real answers to them. The only thing I can say with certainty is that I probably wouldn’t have won the Champions League three times with Manchester United.”
Conclusion
Toni Kroos’s decision to retire marks the end of a remarkable chapter in his career, highlighted by numerous titles and personal accolades. Despite Mourinho’s playful remarks, Kroos’s retirement stands as a testament to his illustrious career and his significant contributions to Real Madrid’s dominance in European football.
