A legendary former teammate has shared candid thoughts on Vinicius Junior’s impressive progression and potential at Real Madrid, offering fans a unique perspective.
According to a report from SI.com, Toni Kroos has openly criticised his former Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior, recalling how the Brazilian’s volatile behaviour once undermined the entire team.
Kroos said: “At that time, I often told [Vinícius] that enough was enough, because it feels like the whole team is being harmed by his behavior.”
The German playmaker, known for his calm and composed leadership, revealed he frequently tried to calm Vinícius on the field to prevent emotional outbursts from derailing his focus.
Kroos explained, “I often tried to calm him down a bit on the field, but mainly to keep him from losing focus … I often told him: ‘Vinícius, you’re so good you don’t need that at all.’”
Kroos’ remarks come amid growing scrutiny over Vinícius’ temperament, especially after recent disciplinary incidents and clashes during matches.
The former midfielder’s reflections point to enduring concerns over how individual behaviour can affect team dynamics and performance.
Having won two Champions League titles together, Kroos and Vinícius shared significant success — but Kroos’ comments underscore how, behind the trophies, there were tensions rooted in emotional volatility.