Toni Kroos’ retirement brings back memories of the under-17 podium with Ransford Osei

The Black Starlets were paired in the same group as Germany, with Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia completing Group F.

Kroos and Osei were both on the scoresheet as Ghana lost 3-2 to Germany in their second group match, although both countries advanced to the round of 16.

Ghana and Germany would meet again in the playoffs for third and fourth place, a match in which Kroos and Osei scored again and the Black Starlets suffered a 2-1 defeat.

In what was an impressive tournament for both players, Kroos won the Golden Ball and the Bronze Boot, while Osei also took home the Silver Boot, and Nigerian Macauley Chrisantus won the Golden Boot.

However, the aforementioned players have had opposite professional careers. Since then, Kroos has won multiple league titles in Germany and Spain, as well as lifting the UEFA Champions League five times.

With Germany he also won the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and played in all the matches in which Die Mannschaft beat Argentina in the final.

Osei also won the FIFA U-20 World Cup two years later, but failed to make the Ghana national team.

Kroos’ announcement of his retirement after a trophy-filled career at club and international level has brought back memories of his podium finish alongside Osei.

“My ambition was always to finish my career at the top of my performance level. I am happy and proud that I found in my mind the right moment for my decision and that I was able to choose it on my own.” Kroos posted on his Instagram page.

Kroos hopes to complete his trophy case by winning the European Championship after having already won the World Cup with Germany. In the immediate term, however, the 34-year-old has his sights set on the Champions League final against Borrusia Dortmund.