Toni Kroos is worried about Real Madrid, the club he left last year. He misses the fighting spirit at the club that was defeated on Tuesday night in the Champions League during their visit to Arsenal.
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Toni Kroos is worried about Real Madrid, the club where he spent a decade of his career and became one of the most decorated midfielders in football history.
The German, who retired from international football but continues to be an influential voice in the sport through his podcast Einfach mal Luppen, expressed his deep concern about the current mentality within the team after witnessing their 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
On Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium, Real Madrid were thoroughly outplayed by a high-intensity Arsenal side that capitalised on Madrid’s uncharacteristic lack of resilience. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Jesus sealed a dominant win for the English club, leaving the Spanish giants with an uphill battle in the return leg. For Kroos, the most worrying aspect wasn’t just the scoreline it was the body language, the absence of belief, and the mental fragility he witnessed from his former teammates.
Kroos, who won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and was part of one of the most dominant eras in European football, is known for his calm demeanor and tactical intelligence. His comments carry weight, not only because of his experience but because of his deep understanding of what it means to wear the Real Madrid shirt. “I had the feeling that after the 2-0, they had already given up,” he said during his podcast. “From my own experience, I know there’s always a moment in a match when you sense that Real are about to score, even when they’re behind. That feeling was completely absent on Tuesday.”
He went further in his analysis, highlighting the lack of urgency and reaction after conceding goals. “After every goal conceded, I missed that reaction. Scoring was extremely important, but it looked more like they were begging: please, don’t let the fourth goal go in,” Kroos explained. “That’s not the Real Madrid I know. The Real I played for never stopped believing, never stopped pushing, even in the most difficult moments.”
His words have sparked debate among fans and pundits, many of whom agree that the current squad seems to lack the mental fortitude that defined previous generations. Kroos, who played alongside legends like Sergio Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, and Marcelo, was part of a team known for its incredible comebacks and refusal to surrender. That identity, according to him, is now missing or at least in danger of disappearing.
Despite the criticism, Kroos hasn’t lost hope. He believes the tie is not over and that Real Madrid, with their European pedigree and the backing of their home crowd, can still turn things around. “The team has to give everything, and the supporters at the Bernabéu will make themselves heard. We need to apply pressure right from the first 15 minutes. Anything is possible in Madrid,” he said, recalling past nights of magic at the stadium where countless legendary comebacks have taken place.
Real Madrid will now have a week to regroup, reflect, and prepare for what could be a defining match in their season. Carlo Ancelotti, who has been under increasing scrutiny for his tactical decisions and lineup choices, will face the challenge of reigniting the belief within the squad. Veteran players like Modrić, Carvajal, and Nacho will also be expected to step up as leaders, helping to restore the fighting spirit that Kroos claims is missing.
The return leg is set for Wednesday, April 16, at the Santiago Bernabéu. The challenge is steep overturning a three-goal deficit against a well-organized and energetic Arsenal side but if there’s one club that has written its history through improbable comebacks, it’s Real Madrid. And Toni Kroos, despite his disappointment, is still betting on that history to repeat itself once again.
