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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/ACH-3 on 2025-11-19 13:50:15+00:00.
full AS article:
Toni Kroos has fueled the debate surrounding Vinicius with comments made as a commentator for the Icon League in Düsseldorf, where he admitted to understanding the growing criticism of the Brazilian, with whom he shared six seasons at Real Madrid.
The German, who retired last year, recalled that Vinicius’s behavior —his theatrical gestures, provocations, and constant clashes with opponents and fans— already bothered him when they were both on the pitch. “At that time, I told him many times that he had had enough, because you get the feeling that, due to his behavior, the team ends up suffering. It’s understandable that he might annoy an opponent, a referee, or the crowd,” he stated.
Kroos explained that these tensions weren’t limited to the individual level, but also affected the team’s performance. According to the former midfielder, the feeling within the locker room was clear: “As a team, you get the impression that everything is working against the group because of what’s happening around him.” For the 2014 World Cup winner, the conflicts surrounding Vini were diverting attention and complicating the work of the rest of the team.
The German added that he had often tried to calm the striker during matches to protect both the team’s momentum and the Brazilian’s own game. “I’ve tried many times to calm him down on the pitch, especially so he wouldn’t lose his composure, because sometimes that happened. I always told him, ‘You’re so good you don’t need all that.’” These words come after several controversies, such as in the Clásico, where his reaction to being substituted generated a barrage of criticism before he offered a public apology