Sports
Real Madrid Star, Toni Kroos Announces Retirement
Toni Kroos, the German midfielder for Real Madrid in La Liga, has officially retired from professional football at the age of 34.
In a heartfelt letter to the fans of Real Madrid, he expressed gratitude for their unwavering support throughout his tenure, which began in 2014.
Additionally, Kroos affirmed that the 2024 Euros will signify his last appearance on the international stage.
He wrote: “As I have always said: Real Madrid is and will be my last club. July 17th, 2014 – the day of my presentation at Real Madrid, the day that changed my life. My life as a footballer – but especially as a person. It was the start of a new chapter at the biggest club in the world.
“After 10 years, at the end of the season, this chapter comes to an end. I will never forget that insolent successful time! I would particularly like to thank everyone who welcomed me with an open heart and trusted me.
“But especially I would like to thank you, dear Madridistas, for your affection and your love from the first day until the last one. At the same time, this decision means that my career as an active footballer will end this summer after the Euro championship.
“I am happy and proud, that in my mind I found the right timing for my decision and that I could choose it on my own. My ambition was always to finish my career at the peak of my performance level. From now on there is only one leading thought: a por la 15!!! HALA MADRID Y NADA MAS.”
During his 11 seasons at the club, Kroos secured five Champions League titles and netted a total of 28 goals.
Regarded as one of the premier midfielders in history, his reputation is built on his exceptional vision, passing prowess, creativity, precision in crossing, and proficiency in set-piece situations.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has imposed a two-match ban on Emiliano Martinez for “offensive behaviour.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) made the announcement on Saturday.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Aston Villa, was also found guilty of “violating principles of fair play” in two separate incidents.
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The first violation occurred during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier win over Chile on September 5, when Martinez held a replica of the Copa America trophy to his groin.
This was not the first time he had performed such a gesture, having done the same with the Golden Glove trophy after Argentina’s victory over France in the 2022 World Cup final.
In a second incident, FIFA sanctioned Martinez for striking a cameraman’s equipment with his gloves after Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Colombia on September 10.
The AFA voiced its displeasure with FIFA’s ruling, stating, “The Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”
As a result of the ban, Martinez will miss Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 15.
Argentina currently leads the South American qualifying table with 18 points from eight matches, two points ahead of second-placed Colombia. Martinez’s absence will be keenly felt as the team looks to secure qualification.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League match against Qarabag has been postponed due to severe travel disruptions in London.
The announcement was made on the club’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday evening.
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According to the statement, further details regarding the rescheduling of the match are expected to follow.
The post reads, “Kick off for tonight’s fixture has been delayed due to severe travel disruption. Further information to follow.
More to follow………
The draw for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup has revealed a series of thrilling matchups that are sure to capture fans’ attention.
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In a post on Wednesday night, the fixtures, which will see some of the top teams in English football go head-to-head, include:
Brentford vs Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton vs Stoke
Tottenham vs Manchester City
AFC Wimbledon/Newcastle vs Chelsea
Manchester United vs Leicester
Liverpool vs Brighton
Arsenal vs Preston
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
These encounters promise high-stakes action as clubs compete for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Fans can look forward to a week of intense competition as these teams battle for advancement in one of England’s most prestigious cup competitions.
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