Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos recently made headlines by provocatively stating that winning the La Liga title at the expense of bitter rivals FC Barcelona was “twice as good.” The German midfielder’s comments came after Madrid clinched the Spanish top flight crown with a 3-0 victory over Cadiz, just before Barcelona suffered a 4-2 defeat to Girona in a Catalan derby. This victory marked Kroos’ fourth league title since joining Madrid from Bayern Munich in 2014, and he expressed pride in the club’s latest achievement, despite admitting that the clear lead in the standings took away some of the emotion.
Following Madrid’s triumph, coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to forego the traditional celebration at the Cibeles fountain in order to focus on the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich. Many of the players, including Kroos, stayed behind at the Bernabeu to watch the Barca-Girona match with friends and family. Kroos noted that he was initially considering leaving when Barcelona went 2-1 up, but ultimately decided to stay, a decision that paid off when Girona scored two more goals to secure the victory.
Despite the excitement of winning the league title, Kroos revealed that the Madrid players did not celebrate excessively, suggesting that the win was somewhat overshadowed by the huge points lead they held in the league. However, the satisfaction of winning La Liga in front of a television screen, coupled with Barcelona’s defeat, made the achievement even more special for Kroos. These comments are likely to please Madrid fans while riling up supporters of Barcelona, also known as Culers, emphasizing the intense rivalry between the two Spanish giants.
Looking ahead, Kroos and his teammates are focused on securing a treble this season, with a personal bonus of approximately $1.5 million at stake for winning the Champions League. Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley on June 1, with the opportunity to lift a record-equalling sixth European Cup. Kroos’s experience and leadership on the field will be crucial for Madrid as they aim to achieve this historic milestone and further cement their status as one of the most successful clubs in European football.
Overall, Kroos’s remarks have stirred up emotions among football fans, particularly those of Madrid and Barcelona, as the rivalry between the two clubs continues to be one of the most intense in the sport. Kroos’s pride in winning the league title and his desire to add the Champions League trophy to Madrid’s collection highlight his commitment to success and excellence on the field. As the season progresses and the Champions League final approaches, all eyes will be on Kroos and his teammates as they strive to make history and further solidify their legacy in the world of football.
