Toni Kroos reacts to 'funny' boos from crowd in Saudi Arabia

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has admitted he found it "quite funny" to be booed by fans at the recent Supercopa de Espana final in Saudi Arabia, insisting it proves he was "right".

Kroos was in the firing line of the local fans due to his open criticism of the Saudi Pro League's aggressive recruitment of some of world football's biggest names, calling the decision of players to join its clubs "for money and against football".

So when Kroos arrived in the country hoping to win the Supercopa last week, even Madrid-supporting locals gave him a decidedly hostile welcome.

"I didn't expect it at all, I didn't even think it was for me," Kroos reflected on Einfach mal Luppen.

"The background is that I don't think it's good for young players to come into the league and give up the development, the big games, the high levels in Europe, which they could certainly play, instead of the money in the Saudi Arabian league. That was my statement at the time and it was about half a year ago now, for me it was already forgotten.

"I noticed [booing] at some point during the first half. At first, I didn't think they were referring to me. Then I looked at the fans and realised: 'Oh, this is for you…just for you.'

"I can say, from the bottom of my heart, that it didn't bother me or affect my way of playing, on the contrary, it was quite funny. I thought from time to time, who will be able to endure more. With time it could become boring and in the final I noticed that there were less and less of them [booing].

"When [Carlo Ancelotti] replaced me, everyone pulled themselves together again and gathered all their strength [to boo me]. You get used to it and it makes you smile. The booing confirms my statements, I was probably right."

Speaking back in August, Kroos suggested he understood former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo joining Al Nassr in his late thirties, putting more of his criticism on younger players.

"In the end, it is a decision for money and against football," he said at the time.

"Everyone has to make that decision for themselves, as Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do it towards the end of his career. But it becomes very difficult when players, who are in the middle of their career and have the quality to play for the best clubs in Europe, decide to make those changes. The lack of human rights is what would prevent me from leaving."

Kroos also specifically labelled the decision of emerging Spanish talent Gabri Veiga to swap Celta Vigo and La Liga for Al Ahli and Saudi Pro League as "embarrassing".

Veiga later hit back, insisting there wasn't solely a financial motivation behind his move.

 "I understand that everyone has their opinion, but there were other decisions that tipped the balance. Among all the options, I think it was the one that allowed me to continue growing as a footballer and mature in a league that is growing a lot," the 21-year-old said.

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