Toni Kroos has defended his former teammate Antonio Rüdiger, who came under fire. The Real Madrid defender completely lost his temper after being substituted in the lost Copa del Rey final. He threw an ice pack at the referee and had to be restrained by staff members to prevent things from escalating further.
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After the highly charged Spanish Cup final, where Barcelona edged out Real Madrid 3-2 in a dramatic and emotional match, the fallout from the events on and off the pitch continued to dominate headlines. One of the major talking points was Antonio Rüdiger’s explosive reaction following his substitution during the match, an outburst that resulted in disciplinary action and widespread media scrutiny.
During the closing stages of the final, with Real Madrid desperately chasing an equalizer, Rüdiger was substituted by coach Carlo Ancelotti, a decision that the German defender clearly struggled to accept. In a moment of frustration and anger, Rüdiger threw an ice pack toward the referee and had to be physically restrained by several members of the Real Madrid staff to prevent the situation from escalating even further. His actions immediately sparked controversy, with many questioning whether he had crossed a line unacceptable for professional conduct.
In the days following the incident, Rüdiger found an important ally in former Real Madrid teammate and fellow German international Toni Kroos. Speaking at an Icon League event in Düsseldorf, Kroos expressed understanding of the situation while acknowledging that Rüdiger’s behavior was wrong. "He will get his punishment, and it will be deserved," Kroos said bluntly. "But we shouldn't act as if he killed someone. You always have to be careful not to simply go along with the flow," he warned, criticizing the tendency for public opinion to snowball into excessive outrage.
Kroos, who officially retired from professional football at the end of the previous season, confirmed that he reached out to Rüdiger after the match. According to Kroos, their conversation was candid. "It was a major mistake, as the footage clearly shows. And he knows that very well. He is fully aware of it," Kroos said, emphasizing that Rüdiger had taken full responsibility for his actions without trying to make excuses.
The controversy, however, did not stay confined to Spain. In Germany, where both players have strong reputations, the debate quickly intensified. Prominent figures in German football, including former international Dietmar Hamann, publicly suggested that Rüdiger’s outburst could warrant consequences beyond club level, including potential exclusion from the national team. Hamann argued that players representing Germany must uphold certain standards of conduct at all times, whether on or off the field.
Kroos, however, dismissed such suggestions as overreactions. "All these people jumping out of the bushes, calling for him to be kicked out of the national team... and some of them are people who, in my opinion, should have been suspended themselves back in the day," Kroos remarked, in a clear jab at what he saw as the hypocrisy among some critics. He further questioned the motivations behind such strong public condemnations, suggesting that some voices were perhaps more interested in grabbing headlines than in genuinely addressing standards within the national team.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not yet issued an official statement regarding any additional internal sanctions for Rüdiger beyond the expected suspension issued by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The club is said to be handling the matter privately, with Ancelotti reportedly speaking to the player personally to reinforce expectations of discipline and composure, especially during high-pressure moments.
Meanwhile, Barcelona's victory marked an important milestone, ending a run of poor results against their archrivals and securing another piece of silverware under the leadership of their young manager. The heated nature of the final, coupled with incidents like Rüdiger’s, highlighted once again just how much the rivalry between the two clubs remains one of the fiercest in world football.
For Rüdiger, the next steps will be crucial. While his quality on the pitch is undisputed, maintaining a reputation for professionalism will be essential as he seeks to move past this episode. With Euro 2024 fast approaching, the stakes are even higher. As Kroos’s support demonstrates, some of those closest to the German squad are willing to offer understanding and perspective but continued focus and discipline will ultimately determine how the defender’s career is judged moving forward.
Updated: 10:54, 29 Apr 2025
