Hammered 4-0 by rivals Barcelona in the Clasico at the end of October, Los Blancos slumped to a second consecutive home defeat on Tuesday in Europe, with AC Milan triumphing 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Retiring Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said he was optimistic for the team's future despite their "bitter" Euro 2024 exit after a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Spain in extra time on Friday.
Forward Joselu heaped praise on last season's teammate at Real Madrid, but said Spain were laser-focused on winning in Stuttgart to reach the Euros semi-finals regardless of the implications for Kroos.
Kroos, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid last month and will hang up his boots after the Euros, came out of international retirement this year to chase the one major trophy missing from a vast haul that also includes the 2014 World Cup.
With a combined age of 106, Germany's three remaining 2014 World Cup winners Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos are leading the hosts' charge for Euro 2024 glory.
Pass master Kroos played a key role as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley.
A goalless draw with Real Betis was largely irrelevant with Real confirmed as LaLiga champions and all the European qualification and relegation spots decided, so the evening was about celebrating the 34-year-old Kroos.
Kroos will retire after the European Championship, the Real Madrid midfielder announced on Tuesday, adding that the Champions League final will be his last game for the Spanish club.
German soccer player Toni Kroos will retire after the European Championship, the Real Madrid midfielder announced on Tuesday, adding that the Champions League final will be his last game for the Spanish club.
As Casemiro leaves for ‘a new challenge’, both Kroos and Modric left him emotional letters, published by Spanish national daily sports newspaper Marca. Both letters are shared here for the readers of The Daily Star:
