Toni Kroos Breaks Silence with Shocking Defense of Booed Real Madrid Star Vinicius Jr
Toni Kroos brushed off the recent criticism aimed at Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid supporters with a surprising perspective: "Any player who hasn't faced jeers at the Bernabéu cannot be considered truly elite."
The Madrid faithful were particularly vocal during last weekend's labored triumph against relegation-threatened Levante in La Liga. While disapproval was widespread, Vinicius Jr bore the brunt of the supporters' frustration more than his teammates.
The Brazilian winger expressed his displeasure with this reception. Following his contribution to four of Madrid's six goals in a dominant Champions League performance against Monaco, Vinicius Jr spoke out after enduring several "extremely difficult" days. "I constantly find myself under scrutiny, but I prefer that attention to focus on my field performances and my contributions to this institution, not external matters."
Jude Bellingham responded with a deliberate celebration addressing the fan reaction, while Kylian Mbappé offered a passionate defense of his colleague. The French striker didn't object to Madrid supporters voicing their frustration with the team's performance, but maintained: "If criticism is warranted, it should target the entire squad. Singling out individual players is unfair. Our struggles are collective, and we possess the determination to address them through our play."
Kroos offered an even more radical viewpoint, suggesting that Vinicius Jr should interpret the negative attention as validation of his elite status. "Lesser players rarely face such scrutiny," he observed on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.
"This situation reflects Real Madrid's current state, perhaps not at peak form. However, it essentially captures the essence of representing this club," Kroos explained regarding the elevated expectations from the fanbase. "Whether from media or supporters, minor players seldom face such intense criticism.
"Star players invariably become targets, regardless of circumstances."
However, Kroos didn't endorse this approach as optimal—merely acknowledging its prevalence. "When facing hostility before kickoff, achieving the club's objectives becomes significantly more challenging: securing victories and delivering quality performances," he emphasized. "This represents our current reality, which is problematic, and improvement can only come through results, commitment, and superior play. We've all endured similar experiences."
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Although Vinicius Jr certainly hasn't deserved the isolated treatment he's received, the Real Madrid supporters' collective frustration with the team hasn't emerged without cause. Just three days before experiencing the hostile atmosphere at the Bernabéu, Madrid suffered a shocking 3–2 defeat to lower-division side Albacete.
Kroos has personal experience with memorable cup disappointments. The German midfielder entered as a substitute during a 2–1 loss to third-tier Alcoyano in early 2021. Despite that embarrassing result, Madrid would claim La Liga honors that season.
"I also experienced elimination from the Copa del Rey against a third-division opponent," Kroos reflected. "Current circumstances aren't ideal, but even our most successful teams endured difficult periods."