Why Toni Kroos was booed during Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup win vs Atletico

Toni Kroos was loudly booed during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final tie in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Toni Kroos is one of Real Madrid’s longest-serving and successful players, but that didn’t save the German midfielder from being booed during Wednesday night’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atletico Madrid.

Kroos entered the fray as a second-half substitute, replacing Luka Modric in the 67th minute, with the scores level at 2-2. Goals from Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy had cancelled out Mario Hermoso’s opener before Antoine Griezmann levelled the scores in the 37th minute.

Atletico were on course to secure a spot in Sunday’s final when Rudiger put the ball in his own net, but Dani Carvajal’s 85th-minute equaliser sent the tie to extra-time. Late goals from Joselu and Brahim Diaz then secured victory for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

The reason Toni Kroos was booed

Saudi Arabian fans unhappy with his reaction to Gabri Veiga’s transfer

The game was played at Al-Awwal Park at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Kroos was loudly jeered by the crowd each time he touched the ball. This confused many football fans on social media, who couldn’t understand why the legendary midfielder was being singled out by the locals.

According to Spanish outlet AS, the reason stems from his reaction to a transfer that was finalised in the summer of 2023. After Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga became the latest talent to switch Europe for the riches of Saudi Arabia, Kroos made his feelings crystal clear, describing the move as “embarrassing”. The Saudi Arabians clearly hadn’t forgotten his comments and voiced their dissatisfaction.