Toni Kroos has largely stayed away from the spotlight since retiring after Real Madrid’s triumphant 2023/24 campaign, but when he does speak, people inside football tend to listen carefully.
The German legend has never been one to soften his opinions, and even in retirement, that has not changed. With Real Madrid spiraling toward a second consecutive trophyless season and the club engulfed in tension both on and off the pitch, Kroos’ latest comments about Paris Saint-Germain and Ousmane Dembélé felt
impossible to ignore.
Especially because many Madridistas believe the comments were not only praise for PSG — but also a direct criticism of what Real Madrid have become.
Speaking on his podcast after PSG’s dramatic Champions League semifinal victory over Bayern Munich, Kroos highlighted a moment that stood out to him involving Dembélé and Luis Enrique.
Despite scoring early in the match and being one of PSG’s most dangerous players, Dembélé was substituted in the 65th minute because Luis Enrique believed the French forward could no longer maintain the defensive intensity required for the remainder of the game.
Instead of reacting negatively, Dembélé calmly accepted the decision.
“Luis Enrique subbed out Dembélé, his best player, in the 65th minute of a Champions League semifinal and nobody complained,” Kroos said. “He leaves, shakes his coach’s hand and sits on the bench cheering his teammates.”
Then came the line that immediately fueled discussion among Real Madrid supporters.
“There are some counter examples to this.”
Kroos never explicitly mentioned Real Madrid or any individual player. He did not need to.
The context surrounding Madrid’s season made the implication obvious to many observers.
Real Madrid have spent much of the campaign battling reports of dressing-room tension, ego clashes, and frustrations over player roles. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé — initially viewed as the final piece of a superteam — has instead coincided with one of the most chaotic periods the club has experienced in years.
Results have deteriorated sharply since Kroos’ retirement. Madrid have looked structurally broken in midfield without the German orchestrating matches, while balance and defensive intensity have often disappeared entirely in big games.
At the same time, frustrations inside the squad have increasingly spilled into public view.
That is why Kroos’ praise of Dembélé resonated so strongly.
For years, Dembélé himself carried a reputation for inconsistency, immaturity, and questionable professionalism. Yet under Luis Enrique, he has evolved into one of the leaders of a PSG side now built around collective sacrifice rather than superstar privilege.
Even as the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and arguably PSG’s most decisive player, Dembélé accepted being removed from the biggest match of the season without complaint because the team came first. Kroos clearly admired that.
And many fans interpreted his comments as a subtle contrast with certain behaviors seen at Real Madrid this season.
