Toni Kroos SLAMS Saudi Arabia: 'a decision against football'

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 31 Aug 2023 17:22 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos hasn't pulled any punches about players leaving for Saudi Arabia at the height of their careers in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

The Saudi Pro League have been aggressive in their pursuit of top European players this summer, with Al-Ittihad signing Ballon d'Or winner and Kroos' Madrid teammate Karim Benzema in June.

Real legend Cristiano Ronaldo, more recently of Manchester United, started the trend in January in joining Al-Nassr, and there has been an influx of players to the Middle-Eastern kingdom since.

READ: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals

Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal both tried to sign Kroos' long-time midfield partner Luka Modric earlier in the summer, but Kroos was relieved to see his teammate stay at the Santiago Bernabeu and thinks more Europe-based players should follow suit.

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 24, 2023

Kroos: 'Ronaldo went at the end of his career'

"Everyone has to make this decision for themselves, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to go towards the end of his career," he told the German version of Sports Illustrated.

"But it becomes very difficult when players who are in the middle of their careers and have the quality to play for top clubs in Europe decide to make such a change. And then it's said that it's an ambitious sporting decision to go there, but the truth is that it's all about the money.

READ: Kroos blasts 'embarrassing' Saudi Pro League transfer

"In the end it's a decision for the money - and against football. And from there it starts to get difficult for the football we all know and love."

Neymar's €90 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Al-Hilal has been the most lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabia this summer, but the Brazilian is at least 31.

Gabri Veiga's recent €40m move from Celta Vigo to Al-Ahli, at the tender age of 21, is one that stuck in Kroos' craw more, especially with Madrid having been credited with an interest in the Spain U21 midfielder.