Kroos’ reaction after being booed by Saudi fans in Super Cup win over Atlético

After being jeered by Saudi fans during Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final victory, midfielder Toni Kroos took to social media.

Toni Kroos has offered up a light-hearted response to being booed by Saudi fans during Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup win over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday.

Brought on as a second-half substitute in Riyadh, the Madrid midfielder was jeered every time he touched the ball, with local supporters angered by his criticism of players who have accepted big-money transfers to Saudi Pro League clubs.

In a post-match message on X, the social-media platform formerly known as Twitter, Kroos quipped: “That was fun today! Amazing crowd”.

Kroos has said that his concerns over human-rights abuses by Saudi Arabia’s repressive regime would prevent him from moving to the kingdom. In particular, he has taken aim at players who opt to move to Saudi soccer during their prime years, calling it a “decision for the money - and against football”.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated in August, the 34-year-old said: “Everyone has to make this decision for themselves, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who decided to do so towards the end of his career. 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 switches.

“And then it is said that it is an ambitious sporting decision to go there, but the truth is that it’s all about the money. 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.”

Notably, Kroos was publicly critical of 21-year-old Spanish starlet Gabri Veiga’s decision to join Saudi side Al Ahli in the summer, despite