Kroos has delivered a subtle message to Mbappé and Vinicius.
Legendary former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has offered a pointed reminder to the club's star attacking duo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, emphasising the need for defensive effort under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Kroos, who retired in 2024, insisted that hard work without the ball is non-negotiable for the team's overall success.
Kroos's comments come after Mbappé and Vinicius faced criticism from some circles last season under former coach Carlo Ancelotti for a perceived lack of defensive contribution.
This perceived imbalance was highlighted during their Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, a match that starkly illustrated the difference between a defensively committed lineup and one overly reliant on individual moments of magic.
While both Mbappé and Vinicius enjoyed prolific seasons in front of goal for Real Madrid, they are now adapting to the tactical demands of Xabi Alonso, who replaced Ancelotti in the Bernabéu dugout.
Alonso, known for his high-energy and disciplined approach during his successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, is expected to demand a greater collective effort from his players.
What Kroos said
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Kroos articulated his philosophy saying good players should play together.
He said, "Good players can and should play together.But they also have to defend. For me, attack and defence have always been inseparable."
Kroos's retirement in 2024 marked the end of an incredible career that included a 2014 World Cup victory with Germany and a myriad of trophies with Real Madrid.
His departure has coincided with a challenging season for Los Blancos, who, in their first campaign without him since 2013-14, finished second in La Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals.
Comments