Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos (36) has opened up about the dire situation at his former club following their defeat to Barcelona and a string of off-field issues in the dressing room.
The loss to Barcelona on Sunday night allowed their archrivals to secure the 2025-26 LaLiga title with three matchdays to spare. For the second consecutive season—apart from the 2024 UEFA Super Cup—Real Madrid have failed to claim any major silverware, while the campaign has been marred by dramatic incidents that have plunged the club to a new low.
The team’s top scorer, Kylian Mbappé, sparked controversy while sidelined with an injury, while Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde clashed during two training sessions, leaving the Uruguayan with a traumatic brain injury.
Speaking on his podcast, Kroos addressed the defeat to Barcelona and the sense of hopelessness lingering in the dressing room during this final stretch of the season.
“It’s really difficult to accept. Two losses are unacceptable. Period. That’s the image Real Madrid has of itself. Everyone knows it,” he stated.
“This is the result of a negative atmosphere that has been building for a long time, both inside and outside the club at all levels. Maybe they were motivated. I’m not saying they weren’t. But it’s simply not enough in many aspects.”
“I rarely take so few notes,” Kroos added, noting that “I have rarely felt so little hope. Honestly, I felt relieved when it was over.”
Real Madrid will face Real Oviedo on May 14, Sevilla on May 17, and Athletic Club on May 24 before a forgettable season comes to an end. A summer revolution is expected, with a potential return of José Mourinho to the bench.