The final evening in Paris was once again symptomatic. Toni Kroos had just won the Champions League with Real Madrid for the fourth time - but the German audience did not remember the moment of triumph or the extensive title break of the royal team, but a memorable interview sequence of less than two minutes.
Kroos fought an open duel with ZDF reporter Nils Kaben on the pitch and attested to him "shitty questions" in front of an audience of millions.
When the conversation had already ended and Kroos was actually gone, the 32-year-old came back and followed up from the off in a very audible and meaningful way: "You first ask three negative questions. Then you already know that you come from Germany. " The critical attitude at home could hardly have been denounced more clearly. Kroos feels unloved, Kaben's critical questions were a symbol for him.
Since that title night at the end of May, Kroos, who resigned from the national team in the summer of 2021, has largely disappeared from the public eye in Germany. That will change this Wednesday (9 p.m. / RTL and DAZN) when the Madrilenians play for the European Supercup in Helsinki - against Eintracht Frankfurt as the reigning Europa League champion.
"Bermuda Triangle" in Real midfield
While the Hessians, accompanied by 15,000 fans, are about the next emotional coup in Europe, Kroos and Co. have long had the reputation of being title machines. If the German ex-world champion, Croatia's Luka Modric and the Brazilian Casemiro start together in a final, it was won in all eight cases. Coach Carlo Ancelotti recently christened the trio in the center of midfield, which has been dominant for almost a decade, "the Bermuda Triangle" - and will probably line up all three again at the Olympic Stadium in Finland.
Kroos has been by far the most successful footballer in Germany over the past decade. In addition to the World Cup victory in Brazil, there were five handle pots, national championships and cups in Spain, several triumphs in Supercups and Club World Championships. As far as sporting successes are concerned, Kroos is beyond any doubt.
Successful, but never revered at home
But the native of Greifswald was never revered at home, but rather respected to the maximum. The longtime Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß judged a year ago that Kroos' way of playing was "totally over" and the midfielder "no longer fit into football with his cross pass game". The nickname "Querpass-Toni" sticks around among critics - regardless of the flood of titles. Kroos once said of appreciation: "Better controversial in Germany and worldwide recognition than the other way around."
However, he also has himself to blame for the fact that the former Bayern star is perceived as a charming figure off the pitch. The exchange of blows with ZDF man Kaben is part of a series of provocations and open duels, often conducted via Twitter or the podcast "Einfach Luppen", which he regularly records with his brother Felix.
In July, Toni Kroos teased with the statement that Ed Sheeran had achieved something with his concert that he had very rarely experienced: "That people leave an event in the Schalke Stadium happy." The Royal Blues' counterattack was not long in coming. "At least we can give cool interviews after the final whistle."
UEFA Supercup Duel information All Supercup winners Real Madrid squad Eintracht Frankfurt squad Kroos Podcast Player profile Kroos Kroos interview on ZDF
