Joselu savagely admits Spain 'hope to retire' Toni Kroos in Euro 2024 quarter-final tie against Germany as former Real Madrid team-mates turn into rivals

Tournament hosts Germany take on high-flying Spain in a mouth-watering quarter-final clash at the Euros on Friday. This match could be the last of Kroos' career, with the veteran hanging up his boots following the conclusion of the competition. Now, ex-Real Madrid striker Joselu has fanned the flames of battle by saying he hopes to retire his former team-mate.

He told reporters: “We hope it is his [Kroos'] last game. It is a game that is not special because of him being here. It is a quarter-final against a great team. We hope to retire Toni on Friday. He’s been a friend to me. I have spoken with him a lot and he has advised me a lot. He is fundamental for Germany and he has been for Real Madrid. We have to be careful with him on Friday."

Joselu played alongside Kroos at Madrid last season but he has clearly put his friendship aside as Spain try to beat Germany in their own backyard. The German has had a glittering career, winning multiple trophies at Bayern Munich and Los Blancos. However, the big striker seems hell bent on stopping the 34-year-old winning one of the few trophies he has not won; the Euros.

If Joselu's Spain beat Kroos' Germany on Friday, they will either face 2016 winners Portugal or France in the semi-finals.

The new Al-Ghafara striker added: “It is very important to win to qualify. About Toni, we have to believe in ourselves. We don’t care about the other team’s players. I think Friday will be Toni’s last game.”