In the aftermath to Germany’s defeat in the 2024 European Championship, Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer and the retiring Toni Kroos released messages on their Instagram. As @iMiaSanMia captured, Neuer’s statement was brief: Unfortunately, the dream has been shattered. It is even more bitter because this team deserved more, even after this game.
Thank you all for carrying us from the first minute and making this home European Championship even more special. THANK YOU! However, Kroos’ message, via @iMiaSanMia again, was a lot longer. In very fitting fashion, it was eloquent, emotional, intelligent, well thought out and right on the mark: on September 29th, 2023 my phone rang.
Caller: Julian Nagelsmann. Request: return to the national team. The first thought in my head: I’m not stupid! First thought in my heart: S**t, yes! As we all know, the heart decides.
My first thought this morning on July 6th, 2024: I’m glad I did it. Despite all the sadness and emptiness since the final whistle yesterday. I’ve always seen more in the team than they’ve shown in recent years.
But I didn’t expect that it would be possible in such a short time to have a really realistic chance of winning the title and to be on par with the best again. That’s why I’m very proud of what this team has achieved! And all of Germany can be proud again too. A special thank you to all of you out there who made this home European Championship a special one.
We saw you, experienced you and felt you!.
