Real Madrid and Barcelona will face off in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to decide the winner of this year’s Spanish Super Cup, and one player is set for a particularly frosty reception
Real Madrid are currently in Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup (Image: Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Real Madrid star Toni Kroos is expected to face more boos during his side’s Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona after goading already-riled fans in Saudi Arabia.
After coming on as a second-half substitute in Thursday’s epic 5-3 victory over bitter rivals Atletico Madrid, Kroos was subject to jeers from the Saudi crowd every time he touched the ball, having previously claimed that the country’s transfer activity is “ruining football.” Former Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way for superstars to play in the Saudi Pro League, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Neymar and Sadio Mane – as well as younger stars such as ex-Wolves ace Ruben Neves – following him.
Kroos explained to Sports Illustrated during the summer transfer window: “Everyone has to make this decision for themselves, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do so 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 top clubs in Europe decide to make such changes.
“And then it is said that it is an ambitious sporting decision to go there, but the truth is that it’s all about the money. In the end it’s a decision for the money – and against football. And from there it starts to get difficult for the football we all know and love.”
Saudi fans fail to observe silence for Franz Beckenbauer before Real Madrid vs Atletico
Lionel Messi makes feelings clear on Cristiano Ronaldo encounter in Saudi Arabia
The German midfielder went on to claim that a lack of human rights in Saudi Arabia is ‘the one thing that would stop him from making such a move’. Also, Kroos commented “embarrassing” on an Instagram post detailing 21-year-old Spanish sensation Gabri Veiga’s move to Al-Ahli.
The former Bayern Munich playmaker was left with nowhere to hide earlier this week when he helped Los Blancos beat their cross-city rivals, setting up a clash with Barca on Sunday. After being subject to boos in Riyadh, Kroos tweeted: “That was fun today! Amazing crowd,” with a love heart eyes emoji.
Toni Kroos was jeered by fans every time he touched the ball in Saudi Arabia ( Image: Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Ronaldo could be in the stands this Sunday as Real face arch enemies Barcelona, who dispatched Osasuna 2-0 on Thursday. The Spanish Super Cup has been played in Saudi Arabia since the 2019-20 season, a decision which continues to garner criticism from more traditional fans of La Liga and human rights activists.
