Toni Kroos did NOT wear special Real Madrid shirt with Arabic inscription after Spanish Super Cup triumph over Barcelona… after the German was booed in Riyadh for saying players only move to Saudi Arabia for money
- Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos did not wear a commemorative shirt with Arabic script
- He was pictured in a normal jersey after their 4-1 win over Barcelona
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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos was pictured without a commemorative shirt with an Arabic inscription as he and his teammates celebrated winning the Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh on Sunday.
Kroos started the 4-1 win over their bitter rivals in midfield and played 81 minutes before being substituted for Luka Modric. After the match, he enjoyed another piece of silverware as he and his teammates basked in the glory on the field. .
But the German player was pictured in a group photo with his fellow Real Madrid players – who wore a special shirt with the words ‘campeones’ at the top and then Arabic script at the bottom. Kroos wore a normal shirt instead.
Kroos has come under fire from Saudi fans in the past week after controversial comments suggesting high profile players prioritize money when moving to the Middle East.
He called Gabri Veiga’s decision to join Al-Ahli “shameful” after the former Celta Vigo midfielder, 21, was previously linked with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Napoli.
Toni Kroos was pictured without wearing a Real Madrid shirt with an Arabic inscription after their Spanish Super Cup victory over Barcelona
Los Blancos celebrated a huge 4-1 victory over their bitter rivals in Riyadh
It came after Kroos (left) was booed by Saudi fans during Real Madrid’s 5-3 Spanish Super Cup semi-final win over Atletico – after claiming players only play in the country for the money
The German also told Sports Illustrated: ‘It is said that they play ambitious football there, but it is all about the money. Ultimately it is a decision for the money and against football.
‘Then things start to get difficult for the football we all know and love.
‘Everyone has to make that decision for themselves, just like Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do this towards the end of his career.
“But it becomes very difficult when players, who are in the middle of their careers and have the quality to play for the best clubs in Europe, decide to make those changes.”
Kroos was subsequently booed by Saudi fans when he came off the bench during Madrid’s 5–3 win over rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-final, with the player subsequently booed for every time he touched the ball.
The German was also jeered by fans after his comments in the final against Barcelona
The 34-year-old sarcastically wrote “great crowd” in a social media post after the match following the spot, which his boss Carlo Ancelotti said he did not understand.
Despite the reception his teammate received, Dani Carvajal praised the supporters and the atmosphere at Al-Awwal Stadium.
“The truth is the fans have been excellent,” the defender said. ‘It was a spectacular atmosphere. A more football atmosphere’.
Kroos, who was also reportedly booed in the final against Barcelona, was booed by fans because they feel he has insulted the country,” the Blancos KSA fan group told Marca.
‘The Toni Kroos issue is quite controversial here because people think he has insulted the country. Here they are very proud of their culture and their country… and it is understood that he is insulting their honor.’
The Supercopa de Espana has been held in Saudi Arabia in four of the past five seasons, with only the Covid-19 pandemic forcing the Supercopa de España to be held in Spain during the 2020-2021 season.
