Toni Kroos is known for honest words. He also has a clear opinion on transfers to Saudi Arabia. One aspect bothers him in particular.
Madrid – The current transfer summer in football is probably characterized by the Saudi Arabian change offensive. The Saudi Professional League is attracting more and more players with financially lucrative contract offers – not just veterans who are ending their careers there, but also younger players. World champion Toni Kroos has now commented on this development. He sees this as a clear threat to football.
Toni KroosBorn:4. January 1990 (age 33), GreifswaldPosition: Central midfielder Contract at Real Madrid until: 30. June 2024 Market value: 15 million euros (source: transfermarkt.de)
Toni Kroos criticizes move to Saudi Arabia: money as the “only motivation”
In the podcast “Einfach mal Luppen”, which the 2014 world champion moderates together with his brother Felix, Toni Kroos commented on the many moves to Saudi Arabia over the past few months. Above all, he criticized the “26-, 27-, 28-year-olds who have absolutely top quality, play in top clubs in Europe” and who would decide to continue their career in the Gulf state when they were in their best footballing age.
He emphasized that it is only the high salaries offered that are currently attracting footballers to Saudi Arabia. “For a 28-year-old top player who plays for a good club in Europe, that’s the only motivation to go there,” said the multiple Champions League winner.
Ex-DFB star Toni Kroos was concerned about the many player changes to Saudi Arabia.
© Imago / Shutterstock
“Danger for the football of the future”: Kroos regrets transfers to Saudi Arabia
He cannot understand the purely monetary motive at this age: “Such a cut in his sporting career, from his demands, to scale it down just because of money – I’m not a fan of that,” the 33-year-old made clear. “That’s an incredibly bad role model for a lot of young youth players that the motivation is money.”
Kroos, who recently criticized the DFB-Elf, even went one step further in his criticism: “I think it’s a pity for everyone who puts the sporting thoughts at the back at the absolute top football age. That’s just not a good role model for me and a danger for the football of the future.”
“Embarrassing”: Kroos angry about the transfer of youngster Veiga to Saudi Arabia
Shortly after his statement in the podcast, Kroos underlined his regret at the latest developments in the transfer market. Under a post on the Instagram channel by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who announced the upcoming move from Celta Vigo’s 21-year-old youngster Gabriel Veiga to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, the 33-year-old gave his opinion on the matter. “Embarrassing,” wrote Kroos, who deleted his comment shortly afterwards – but the clear dislike was also evident.
Al-Ahli initially did not confirm Veiga’s commitment. If this does not happen before the upcoming matchday weekend, the paths of the Spaniard and the German will probably cross: Kroos will be a guest in La Liga with Real Madrid at Veiga’s Celta on Friday evening.
Neymar, Mané, Kanté, Benzema: These stars moved to Saudi Arabia in the summer
Midfielder Franck Kessie went to Al-Ahli from FC Barcelona for around twelve million euros. © IMAGO/Ken AsakuraInstead of playing with Newcastle United Champions League, Allan Saint-Maximin (right) said goodbye to Al-Ahli in the desert. Cost point: Around 27 million euros. © IMAGO/Khalid Alhaj/MB Media Roger Ibanez will also play for Al-Ahli in the future, the central defender was signed by AS Roma for a reported 30 million euros. © IMAGOmidfielder Fabinho (left) will step in for Al-Ittihad in the future. Around 47 million euros are said to have migrated to Liverpool for the six. © IMAGO/Abdul Ghani Bashir Issa/MB MediaSadio Mane after a game from Al-NassrAt FC Bayern, Sadio Mané was not happy, after just a year he was drawn to Al-Nassr. Cost point: Around 30 million euros. © IMAGO / MB Media SolutionsNeymar at his presentation at Al-HilalThe thickest transfer of the Saudi Pro League so far this summer bears the name Neymar. The Brazilian went from PSG to Al-Hilal for allegedly around 80 million euros plus 20 million euros in possible bonuses. © IMAGO/StrignerBono in a FC Sevilla game Goalkeeper Bono is said to have been an issue at Bayern Munich, but Al-Hilal was awarded the contract, which probably paid around 21 million euros for the ex-Seville keeper. © IMAGO/Joaquin CorcheroMerih Demiral at an Atalanta Bergamo gameThe Turkish international Merih Demiral, previously active at Atalanta Bergamo, joined Al-Ahli for around 20 million euros. © IMAGO/Giuseppe MaffiaAleksandar Mitrovic in a Fulham FC gameAleksandar Mitrovic scored 111 goals in 202 competitive games for Fulham FC and is now chasing goals for Al-Hilal. Around 52 million euros are said to have migrated to London as a transfer. © IMAGO/Jed Leicester/ShutterstockMatthias Jaissle at Al-Ahli’s training campMatthias Jaissle led RB Salzburg to the Champions League group stage for the first time in the club’s history in 2021, but said goodbye to Al-Ahli just before the start of the 2023/24 season. © IMAGO/Daniel ScharingerWith Slaven Bilic there is some Premier League experience on the Al-Fateh SC bench.With Slaven Bilic there is some Premier League experience on the Al-Fateh SC bench. © IMAGO / PA ImagesKarim Benzema’s contract at Real Madrid has expired and he has joined Al-Ittihad.Karim Benzema’s contract at Real Madrid has expired and he has joined Al-Ittihad. © IMAGO / ABACAPRESSAl-Hilal pays €55m for Ruben Neves’ services to Wolverhampton Wanderers.Al-Hilal pays €55m for Ruben Neves’ services to Wolverhampton Wanderers. © IMAGO / SportsphotoKalidou Koulibay leaves Chelsea after a year for 23 million euros to Al-Hilal.Kalidou Koulibay leaves Chelsea after a year for 23 million euros to Al-Hilal. © IMAGO / AFLOSPORTRoberto Firmino made a free transfer from Liverpool FC to Al-Ahli.Roberto Firmino made a free transfer from Liverpool FC to Al-Ahli. © IMAGO / PA ImagesAfter his contract with Chelsea FC ended, Ngolo Kante joined Al-Ittihad.After his contract with Chelsea FC ended, Ngolo Kante joined Al-Ittihad. © IMAGO / Pro Sports Images Al-Hilal secured Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio Rome for 42 million euros. Al-Hilal secured Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio Rome for 42 million euros. © IMAGO / Independent Photo AgencyAl-Ahli paid 18.5 million euros to Chelsea for Edouard Mendy.Al-Ahli paid 18.5 million euros to Chelsea for Edouard Mendy. © IMAGO / PA ImagesMarcelo Brozovic joined Al-Nassr from Inter Milan for 18 million euros.Marcelo Brozovic joined Al-Nassr from Inter Milan for 18 million euros. © IMAGO / ZUMA WirePortuguese Jota brought Celtic €29m from Al-Ittihad.Portuguese Jota brought Celtic €29m from Al-Ittihad. © IMAGO / SportsphotoLiverpool captain Jordan Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq for €14m and now plays for his predecessor Steven Gerrard.Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson joined Al-Ettifaq for €14m and now plays for his predecessor Steven Gerrard. © IMAGO / PA ImagesChampions League winners sold winger Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli for 30 million euros.Champions League winners Manchester City sold winger Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli for 30 million euros. © IMAGO / Nicolo Campo Al-Hilal paid 60 million euros for Malcolm’s services from Zenit St. Petersburg. Al-Hilal paid 60 million euros for Malcolm’s services from Zenit St. Petersburg. © IMAGO / Russian Look Moussa Dembele joined Al-Ettifaq from Olympique Lyon on a free transfer.Moussa Dembele joined Al-Ettifaq from Olympique Lyon on a free transfer. © IMAGO / PanoramiCAfter the loan to Sevilla FC, Manchester United sold Alex Telles to Al-Nassr for 7.5 million euros.After the loan to Sevilla FC, Manchester United sold Alex Telles to Al-Nassr for 7.5 million euros. © IMAGO / Nicolo CampoSteven Gerrard is the new coach at Al-Ettifaq.Steven Gerrard is the new coach at Al-Ettifaq. © IMAGO / PixsellSeko Fofana is moving from French runners-up RC Lens to CR7-Club Al-Nassr for 25 million euros.Seko Fofana is moving from French runners-up RC Lens to CR7-Club Al-Nassr for 25 million euros. © IMAGO / SportpixJorge Jesus, new coach of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, has some Champions League experience.Jorge Jesus, new coach of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, has some Champions League experience. © IMAGO / NurPhoto
Kroos defends Saudi Arabia move from Ronaldo: ‘Have legend status’
In his podcast, however, Kroos protected his former Madrid team-mates Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, who both now also play in Saudi Arabia. Their changes when they were older footballers are understandable, after all they “won everything, have legendary status, achieved everything and then let their careers run out there if I don’t mind,” said the former German international.
But Benzema may not have ended up there just because of the money. As for several other stars, Islam also played an important role in his transfer to Saudi Arabia. (wuc)
List of rubrics: © Imago / Shutterstock
2023-08-25 18:06:57
#Danger #football #future #Kroos #warns #transfer #offensive #Saudi #Arabia
