Toni Kroos (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Toni Kroos believes Real Madrid will win La Liga again this season and has taken a dig at Barcelona, claiming their mentality must change if they want to compete at the highest level.
Despite retiring at the end of last season, Toni Kroos remains vocal about Real Madrid and its biggest rivals. The German legend, who won everything possible with Los Blancos, has now taken aim at Barcelona, criticizing their approach to competing with Madrid.
Kroos firmly believes that Real Madrid will win La Liga again this season, dismissing any doubts about their dominance. "Real Madrid will win La Liga. I have no doubts about that," he stated.
In his view, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are merely fighting for second place. "There will be a battle for second place between Atletico and Barcelona. I believe Atletico will win that battle," he added.
However, his strongest words were reserved for Barcelona, whom he criticized for celebrating victories over Real Madrid as if they were trophies. "As usual, Barcelona will celebrate their victories over Real, but honestly, it's not a trophy. If they want to be at a high level, they have to change their mentality," Kroos declared.
With Real Madrid leading La Liga with 50 points, closely followed by Atletico Madrid (49) and Barcelona (48), the title race remains tight. However, Kroos is confident that his former club is a class apart and will secure another league title.
During his remarkable 10-year career at Real Madrid, Kroos won an astonishing number of trophies, including five Champions League titles and four La Liga championships. He played 465 games for the club, scoring 28 goals and providing 99 assists, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.
Unlike Kroos, Luka Modrić is still active and is expected to continue playing next season. Despite turning 40 years old, the Croatian legend has no plans to retire. The duo of Kroos and Modrić defined an era at Real Madrid, with Kroos paying tribute to their unique connection. "We didn't need words. Without words, we would understand each other on the pitch. Good players don't need them, they read the game and that's the most important thing," he said.
Although some believe that Kroos was often overshadowed by Modrić, his impact on Real Madrid remains undeniable. Whether or not he received the individual recognition he deserved, he will forever be remembered as one of the finest midfielders to ever wear the famous white shirt.