#he simply won't get the love kroos & thomas got and that's undeserved because isn't it harde to stay with a team during bad times?

[footballandfiasco]

ilkay's national team retirement is so tragically beautiful because he is associated with for the 'dark', unsuccessful time of the national team like almost no other (which is such a big difference to how toni & thomas stepped back). he is one of very few football players who actually genuinely apologized for something he did when he was very young (and he still receives often racist backlash for). but he still always showed up, it always felt like he really wanted to prove that he can show up for the national team - which i always loved him for, because there were times it felt like no one really wanted to be there. i will miss him deeply!! and i hope he knows that he is appreciated & that he made this amazing summer possible!!