Soccer is not just about goals; sometimes emotions overflow, and players become protagonists due to unexpected actions. This was the case with Rüdiger in the Copa del Rey final, where his expulsion in the last minute against Barça caused controversy. Despite the magnitude of his mistake, Toni Kroos, Rüdiger's former teammate, did not hesitate to defend his compatriot.
An Unexpected Mistake
The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona did not end as expected. In the final minute of the game, after a foul was called in favor of Kylian Mbappé over Eric García, Rüdiger, visibly frustrated, threw an object at the referee.
This gesture, although it did not achieve its goal, was enough for the German center-back to be expelled, sparking a wave of criticism and comments, especially from prominent soccer figures.
Toni Kroos to the Rescue
However, among the critical voices, Toni Kroos emerged, who was Rüdiger's teammate at Real Madrid and in the German national team. At the Icon League in Düsseldorf, Kroos defended his friend, although he acknowledged that Rüdiger had to face the consequences.
"He will receive his punishment, it will be justified. But we don't have to act as if he killed someone. We must be careful not to always go with the flow," expressed Kroos, trying to moderate the general judgment about the incident.
The Human Side of the Situation
Kroos made it clear that, although Rüdiger made a mistake, he should not be excessively condemned. "It was a big mistake, I think the images speak for themselves," acknowledged Kroos, highlighting that his teammate was already fully aware of the magnitude of what happened.
Kroos also commented that he had spoken personally with Rüdiger after the match, and that he had shown remorse for his behavior. It is a reminder that, beyond the rivalry and emotions of the moment, players are human and can make mistakes.
Criticism of Former Idols
What caused a stir were Kroos's words to Matthäus, who suggested Rüdiger's exclusion from the national team. "He forgot all that. The punishment is double digits; if it's less, he can consider himself satisfied," commented Matthäus, showing his disapproval of Rüdiger's attitude.
Kroos was quick to respond, forcefully, to these criticisms. "Those who are now coming out of the cave to demand his exclusion from the national team... Well. Some of them are people who, let's say, also would have deserved to be sanctioned in their time," he declared, pointing to the hypocrisy of some former players who are now so critical.