Jude Bellingham reacts after Toni Kroos announces retirement U-turn

Jude Bellingham has responded to Toni Kroos' decision to come out of international retirement and play for Germany at this summer's European Championship.

It was revealed in January that Kroos was reconsidering his retirement from international football, more than two years after hanging up his boots at national team level.

After facing criticism for his performance at Euro 2020, the experienced midfielder said: "I've played for Germany 106 times. There won't be another time."

He added: "I would have dearly wished, and I gave everything again, that there would have been 109 internationals in the end and that this one big title, the European Championship, would have been added at the end."

At the time, Kroos said it was a "great honour" to be able to wear the jersey for such a long time but now, the 34-year-old will pull on the famous colours again this summer.

In fact, Kroos may feature for Julian Nagelsmann's side when European Championship hosts Germany come up against France on March 23 and the Netherlands on March 26.

Taking to Instagram to announce his retirement u-turn, he wrote: "People, short and painless: I will play for Germany again in March. Why? Because I was asked by the federal coach."

He added: "I'm in the mood and I'm sure that with the team at the European Championship, much more is possible than most believe right now!"

Plenty of footballers posted a comment on Kroos' post, including Real Madrid teammates past and present, including Marcelo, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham, who has enjoyed a flourishing midfield partnership with Kroos at the Bernabeu this season, wrote: "He's back".

Image credit: Getty

Last week, Real Madrid and Germany teammate Antonio Rudiger urged Kroos to come out of international retirement ahead of Euro 2024.

“It’s at home, we want to have the best players there, and at this moment I see Toni as one of the best German players, because he is also one of the best Real Madrid players at the moment," he said.

Germany will come up against Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in Group A.

Topics: Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos, Germany, Real Madrid, Julian Nagelsmann

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

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