Toni Kroos hopes to retire from Real Madrid at 36

After signing his contract renewal with Spanish football giants Real Madrid until 2022, seasoned midfielder Toni Kroos said he wants to retire from the game when he turns 36, and hopes it will be at the same club.

In a press conference on Thursday where he signed his contract extension along with club president Florentino Perez, the 26-year-old German expressed his hope to continue even longer with Real Madrid.

"I have been very happy here in Madrid since the very first day and I'm really pleased to be here for at least six more years," Kroos said according to Real Madrid's official website.

"Those who know me know that when I sign a contract as long-term as this, it is not something I take lightly. I don't see myself as the kind of player to still be playing at the age of 36, I want to go out at the highest level," he continued.

Kroos admitted that he is living a special day for continuing with the "the biggest club in the world", while he thanked the club for its trust, reports Efe.

He also said that one of his main short-term goals is to win La Liga, a title that Real Madrid has failed to win since he arrived two years ago.

"I still have to win La Liga, which is a really important competition. When you are at Real Madrid you always have to look to win every competition, but we have the potential to win La Liga," he said.

He also defended coach Zinedine Zidane against the critics regarding the recent results, and said: "The team did not play well against Eibar, but they did play well against Las Palmas and Dortmund. Zidane is important to us. He is dedicated and his quality is beyond doubt."

--IANS

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