Toni Kroos announced on Friday his retirement from the German National team, after eleven years of service to the German cause and one World Cup title (2014).

At 31 years of age, the Teuton has decided to prioritize Real Madrid over his national team, to try to offer the best of himself in the remaining two years he has left with the Bernabeu club.

The decision of the ‘8’ puts the focus on an always complex issue, and that in Madrid presents several assimilable cases. Below we review the most important ones.

Modric, Qatar Goal

Luka Modric made his debut for Croatia in 2006, when he was just 20 years old. Today, at 35, he is the undisputed leader of the Balkan team, which he led to its greatest achievement, the runner-up in the 2018 World Cup.

His commitment is beyond doubt and his intention, at least before the dispute of the Euro, was to reach the World Cup in Qatar 2022.

Related: Vinicius will not finally go to the Games

But his case is special. He has one more season of the contract with Real Madrid, in which he remains an essential player, and the World Cup is played half a year later. What Modric can do in those six months is unknown as of today.

More than a few Madrid fans have asked Modric to step aside from his patriotic obligations, but the player is clear about it.

What’s more, not only has his performance with Madrid not diminished, but he has maintained his extremely high standards of quality, commitment, and performance.

Benzema, bad moment

If Karim Benzema, at 33 years old, had thought at some point in his career to raise his foot with his national team, the current one does not seem ideal. Deschamps pardoned him before the Euro after six years of banishment, and the Madrid ‘9’ has been, by far, France’s best player, far above the much-desired Mbappé.

With a contract until 2022, he has one more year on the books, until he turns 35, which always advises caution when it comes to sharing our efforts. In his favor plays the fact that in his six years of exclusion he has been able and known how to take care of himself in detail.

Related: Toni Kroos announces he is leaving the German national team

Not to mention the possibility that Zidane, with whom he has a close personal relationship, will, as he hopes, take over the Les Bleus bench in the near future.

Soon for the Belgians

… But with an asterisk. At 30 years old, just one year younger than Kroos, Eden Hazard has been struggling for two seasons with his injured right ankle.

Some voices in Madrid regret that he will recover for weeks or months in Valdebebas to go play, and perhaps get injured again, with his national team, which he has captained for years.

In fact, at the club, there is some unease about the management of the player by the Belgian national team during the Euro.

Very different is the case of Courtois, less exposed to mishaps due to his status as the goalkeeper, and with a performance beyond any doubt when he gets under the sticks of the Madrid team.

Spanish unknown

This summer’s national team tournament was the first without Real Madrid players since the 1930s.

After the departure of Sergio Ramos, there are few Madrid players who have a chance of returning to the Spain jersey.

One of them is Carvajal if he can put his injury ordeal behind him. If he doesn’t, Lucas Vézquez is ready to take over in both jerseys.

Other players like Nacho, Asensio, Ceballos, or Brahim may have options in the future, although they have not entered Luis Enrique’s latest plans.

Related: PSG intensify negotiations for the signing of Sergio Ramos

South Americans, untouchable

The day is not near when Madrid’s four South Americans called up for the Copa America (Militao, Vinicius and Casemiro remain, while Fede is already eliminated) give up playing for their national teams.

The center-back and the two midfielders are untouchable, and Vini could have even added the Games to their commitments.

In all cases, going to the call of their countries requires long journeys, time, and climate changes that are more harmful to the interests of the club than the appointments of the Europeans.

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