Kroos Met With Boos in Riyadh; Real Madrid Advances to Supercopa Final
Toni Kroos faced an unwelcome reception during the Spanish Supercopa semifinal in Riyadh as fans booed the German midfielder throughout his appearance.
Alex Carter
- 2024-01-11
- Updated 03:36 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - Former World Cup winner Toni Kroos was met with jeers from the Saudi crowd at every touch of the ball after being substituted on in the 67th minute of the Spanish Supercopa semifinal against Atlético Madrid at the Al-Awwal Stadium. The Real Madrid star has previously voiced concerns over the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, which is believed to be the reason behind the crowd's reaction. In a display of discontent, fans also expressed their dissatisfaction during a moment of silence for the late Franz Beckenbauer, who passed away at 78 earlier that week.
Response from the Bench
Real Madrid's manager, an esteemed Italian tactician, was seen discussing the incident with Kroos following the match. While the exact details of their conversation have not been disclosed, it was clear that the coach sought to address the hostility encountered by his midfielder during the high-stakes fixture.
A Triumphant Outcome Amidst Controversy
Despite the tense atmosphere, Real Madrid emerged victorious, defeating Atlético Madrid 5:3 after extra time. Toni Kroos' involvement in the game, albeit under a cloud of boos, contributed to his team's success and their progression to the Supercopa final. The final match will also take place at the Al-Awwal Stadium, where Kroos and his team will aim to lift the trophy amidst a potentially challenging crowd response.
The win propels Real Madrid into the final round of the competition, raising the stakes not only on the field but also in addressing the ongoing dialogue around player treatment and international human rights advocacy in the sport.
