Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has shocked the football world by announcing he’d be retiring at the end of this summer’s European Championship.

Kroos is still at the top of his game at age 34, and has decided to leave football when the ovation is still high.

Carlo Ancelotti has now hailed Kroos as ‘a man of balls’.

“I don’t think it was a difficult decision for him, Veteran players, legends, have to choose their destiny.

“Toni has made that decision, and it must be respected. We have to say goodbye to him as best we can. I respect his decision, it is that of a man with balls.”

Ancelotti added: “I was convinced. Saying goodbye like this would be ideal. Then you have to have the courage to do it, and I have a lot of respect for what he has done.

“One of his technical qualities is very difficult to find, but it is not what we are thinking. We think about preparing for the final to win it. Trying to change his mind was not easy. There were no tears.”