Toni Kroos, a true legend of Real Madrid, didn't hold back in his latest podcast episode of Einfach mal Luppen, offering a candid and critical assessment of the club's disappointing season. With the campaign winding down and no silverware in sight, the former midfield maestro made it clear that this fall from grace is simply not acceptable at the Santiago Bernabéu.
"Two seasons without winning is unacceptable at Madrid, period," Kroos stated bluntly. "The results on the pitch are due to the poor relationships within the club." His words carry the weight of someone who knows the standard of excellence that defines the white jersey—a standard that, this year, has slipped out of reach.
The disappointment came to a head in Sunday's El Clásico, where a 2-0 loss handed Barcelona the La Liga title with three games to spare. Kroos didn't mince words about the team's mentality heading into that crucial match. "They were probably motivated to win the Clásico, but it wasn't enough. The defeat was already accepted before it even started," he remarked. "I think they were happy with this result before the game began. The second half was more balanced, but I didn't score. Simply put, congratulations to Barça."
The match itself saw Marcus Rashford open the scoring with a stunning direct free-kick, a moment that could have rattled any goalkeeper. But Kroos was quick to defend Thibaut Courtois from criticism. "You can't say Courtois could have done more. It was a great strike from a very tight space. He took a step towards the other post, but you can't blame him for the goal," he noted, showing the analytical eye that made him one of the game's great thinkers.
However, Kroos reserved his sharpest critique for Ferran Torres' second goal, which he believes exposed the gulf in tactical preparation between the two rivals. "The second goal shows you the difference between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The players involved in that goal, Dani Olmo and Ferran, might not be starters if all the other players were available," Kroos explained. "Names aren't very important in this case, because they have well-developed game plans and movement patterns from training." It's a telling observation—one that points to a deeper issue of cohesion and strategy within the Madrid camp.
As the club looks to rebuild and reclaim its place at the summit of Spanish and European football, Kroos highlighted a bright spot worth nurturing: young talent Arda Güler. "Arda Guler is someone Real Madrid should look to," he concluded, offering a glimpse of hope in an otherwise sobering assessment.
For fans and the team alike, Kroos's words serve as both a wake-up call and a reminder of the relentless standards that define one of the world's most storied clubs. The question now is how Real Madrid will respond—and whether they can turn this season's lessons into next year's triumphs.