Toni Kroos has slammed footballers who partake in ‘nonsense’ choreographed goal celebrations, as the Real Madrid star hit out specifically at Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann.
Kroos, 30, has won a glut of silverware for club and country, including the World Cup, in a hugely successful career and has been hailed for his consistent, under-the-radar performances.
Despite being surrounded by a whole host of stars at Madrid and formerly Bayern Munich, the German is unlikely to seek the limelight afforded to footballers of his ilk, preferring to focus on his game instead.
And the midfielder has taken a pot shot at those who seek to thrill with over-the-top celebrations that typically go viral on social media.
Kroos made special mention of Gunners captain Aubameyang, who has been known to don a mask when he celebrates, while also pointing out Griezmann’s ‘fidgeting’ when he dances like characters in the video game Fortnite.
‘I find it very silly. Even worse is if there are any objects hidden in their socks,’ he told his Einfach mal Luppen podcast via Sport Bild. ‘Aubameyang once celebrated and took out a mask. That’s where it ends with me.
‘I don’t think that’s a good role model, either. What nonsense.’
The Madrid star believes footballers should celebrate with the pure joy of his hero Gerd Muller, one of Germany’s greatest ever footballers.
‘What I always found sweet was Gerd Muller. He just jumped up, pulled up his pants. That was real joy, nothing big,’ he added.
In 2019, Aubameyang wore a Black Panther mask, from the Oscar-nominated Marvel film, after scoring against Rennes in the Europa League.
‘I needed a mask which represents me and that’s the Black Panther. In Gabon, we call the national team the Panthers,’ he said after the game.
The 31-year-old has also worn Batman, Spiderman and Deadpool masks during his career.
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