Kroos: Vinicius' theatrics threaten Real Madrid's rhythm
19 November 2025
On-Field Tensions and a Candid Warning
Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has warned that Vinicius Junior's on-field theatrics could negatively affect the team’s performance.
According to AS in Spain, the German, who retired last year, noted that Vinicius's theatrical gestures, provocations, and constant confrontations with opponents and the crowd could irritate referees and opponents alike, and were troublesome when they played together.
Kroos said he often told him to calm down, that his manner could harm the team’s rhythm. He acknowledged that such behavior could distract, whether from the opponents, the referee, or the spectators.
He also stressed that the tensions were not just personal but affected the team's overall performance. As a group, it sometimes felt as if everything turned against the squad because of the happenings around him.
For the 2014 World Cup winner, the distractions around Vinicius disrupted focus and harmed team cohesion.
And Kroos said he tried repeatedly to calm the forward during matches to protect the team’s dynamic and the player's own performance, adding: "I told him you’re very good—good enough not to need all this."
The remarks came amid several debates, notably the Clasico episode where Vinicius's reaction after being substituted drew heavy criticism, before a public apology was issued later.
A Storied Midfield Career
Toni Kroos’s career is one of the most successful in modern football. He began with Hansa Rostock’s youth system, then joined Bayern Munich’s academy at sixteen, where his passing accuracy, long-range shooting, and pitch vision drew attention.
He debuted for Bayern’s first team in 2007-2008 at seventeen, becoming one of the club’s youngest representatives. A loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen in 2009-2010 showcased his talent and he returned to Bayern as a first-team regular under Jupp Heynckes.
During his Bayern years, he won three Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals, the 2013 Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He became renowned for long passes, composure under pressure, and control of the game’s tempo.
In 2014, Kroos joined Real Madrid for about €25 million, a move widely regarded as excellent value. At Madrid, he formed a legendary midfield trio with Luka Modrić and Casemiro, becoming a core part of the club’s European dominance.
Over a decade at Real Madrid, he won five Champions Leagues, four La Liga titles, the Spanish Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the European Super Cup. His precise distribution and ability to dictate play were pivotal in Madrid’s peak years.
Internationally, Kroos earned 114 caps and scored 17 goals for Germany. He starred in Brazil 2014, helping his nation reach the final and secure the World Cup title in a display of collective discipline. He paused international play in 2021 after Euro 2020, returning to finish his international career in 2024 with Germany, leaving behind a legacy of precision, balance, and professionalism.
Today, Kroos is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of the 21st century, a symbol of German composure and tactical intelligence in football.
Punchline 1: If tempo were a crime, Kroos would serve the longest sentence in football’s history—and the ball would still applaud at the end of the sentence.
Punchline 2: Vinicius should try acting in a soap opera; even the referee might award him a standing ovation for performance—just not for the offsides.
