WATCH: Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos faces ‘BOOS’ from Saudi Arabia crowd in Madrid Derby Supercopa semi-final after ’embarrassing’ comment

Toni Kroos mentioned money as a key factor for players joining the Saudi Pro League.

WATCH: Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos faces ‘BOOS’ from Saudi Arabia crowd in Madrid Derby Supercopa semi-final after ’embarrassing’ comment

Toni Kroos was booed by Saudi fans in Real Madrid's match against Atletico in Riyadh. (via Goal.com and AP News)

Real Madrid midfielder and club icon, Toni Kroos was booed by fans at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, during the Spanish Supercopa semi-final against Atletico Madrid. The crowd expressed their displeasure at the player following his comments about the influx of players to the Middle East.

In an exhilarating encounter that saw Real Madrid triumph 5-3 against city rivals Atletico, the German midfielder and club management were left disappointed with the reception from the 25,000-strong Saudi crowd. Kroos, who came on as a substitute in the 67th minute for Luka Modric, experienced jeers whenever he had possession, and fans even cheered when he slipped while making a pass. This came as a consequence of the German’s comments upon the players joining the Saudi Pro League.

https://youtu.be/rkOLcQ8RG5E?si=SogaJWZ-5AX_ZMtB

The Saudi fans continuously booed did not affect Kroos, who kept performing at the highest level throughout the match. Toni Kroos had previously expressed disapproval of Gabri Veiga’s summer move to Al Ahli from Celta Vigo, describing it as “embarrassing” on social media.

In a subsequent interview, he criticized the Saudi League, stating that transfers are driven solely by financial considerations, and also raised concerns about human rights in the Middle Eastern country. The 21-year-old joined Al-Ahli despite being a transfer target of Europe’s top clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Despite the less-than-positive response from the crowd, the 2014 World Cup winner responded to it by posting a message on ‘X’. He exclaimed that it was a fun experience to play at the stadium, and the crowd’s response towards the team was amazing, taking a dig at the Saudi fans.

Real Madrid triumphant in Madrid Derby, advances to Supercopa Final against FC Barcelona

Real Madrid are all set to face arch-rivals FC Barcelona in the final match of the Supercopa de Espana after they overcame the Atletico Madrid challenge in the semi-finals of the competition. In a thrilling eight-goal encounter, the Los Blancos emerged victorious with a final scoreline of 5-3.

Real Madrid 5-3 Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid defeated Atletico 5-3 to book a place in the final of the Supercopa. (Image via AP News)

Atletico’s Mario Hermoso netted the opening goal in the 6th minute from an Antoine Griezmann corner. Real Madrid leveled the score at 1-1 with Antonio Rudiger’s header in the 20th minute, also from a corner. Ferland Mendy’s goal in the 29th minute was canceled out by a superb strike from Griezmann in the 37th minute, resulting in a 2-2 halftime score.

In the second half, Atletico retook their initial lead as Rudiger scored a bizarre own goal. However, Dani Carvajal‘s 85th-minute goal kept Real Madrid in the game. In the extra time of the match, Joselu’s goal allowed Real to reclaim the lead, and Brahim Diaz‘s open goal in the final minute of the extra time sealed the match for Real Madrid.

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