Kroos announces Germany return ahead of Euro 2024

World Cup winner Toni Kroos announced his return to the German national team on Thursday ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil.

Kroos, 34, will be eligible for selection in the upcoming March international friendlies against France and the Netherlands.

"Hey folks, short and sweet, I'll be playing for Germany again from March," Kroos said in an Instagram post.

"Why? Because I was asked by the coach and I'm up for it.

"I'm sure that much more is possible with the team at the European Championship than most people think right now."

🚨🇩🇪 BREAKING: Toni Kroos returns to German National Team and he will be part of the team in March.

“I’m convinced this squad can do special things at the Euros”, Toni says.

Real Madrid, optimistic about this as positive signal to extend Kroos’ contract also beyond this season. pic.twitter.com/BgjoCP9U6l

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 22, 2024

The Real Madrid midfielder, who has 106 caps for Germany, stepped down from international duty after the Euro 2020 last-16 elimination at the hands of eventual finalists England.

The four-time world champions have struggled in recent years, having been dumped out at the group stage in the past two World Cups.

Germany have won just three of their 11 matches since the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a run which led to Hansi Flick becoming the first Germany coach to be sacked.

TOP CLASS

His replacement Julian Nagelsmann, who has a contract until the end of Euro 2024, has won just one of four games since taking over, including defeats by Turkey and Austria.

Kroos has missed just two out of a possible 32 matches in LaLiga and the Champions League for Real Madrid this season amid an ongoing injury crisis for the Spanish league leaders.

Let’s do it! pic.twitter.com/eS13HQli7Z

— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) February 22, 2024

"His pass rate is the same as 10 years ago. He's always top class," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said of Kroos earlier this month.

Kroos said at the same press conference he "had not made a decision" on a possible international return, joking the call was so difficult he wanted someone else to make it for him.

Nagelsmann had previously described the idea of a Kroos comeback as "an interesting thought".

Germany play a friendly against France in Lyon on March 23, then host the Netherlands four days later in Frankfurt.

Kroos would likely fit into a talented but inexperienced Germany midfield, with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz both aged just 20.

The hosts will open the tournament against Scotland in Munich on 14 June, before also facing Hungary in Stuttgart on 19 June and Switzerland in Frankfurt on 23 June in Group A.