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.
Hodbeiosy
776
Toni we’re Africans you cannot tell us how to live our lives and culture you can’t force everyone to love Muller
Humancal
485
I think he forgot to take his daily milk bottle today
pehimtz
456
Toni I love you but stfu Auba puts his black panther mask on to campaign against Racism....if you don’t know the reason just be quiet
Bl3z
431
Kroos stop disgracing we the Madrid fans. infact the 4:1 is passing through your brains right? 🤣 infact your opinion is rather nonsense. why support Muller but say Auba and Grize be nonsense? stop acting like a child. Goal celebration doesn't have any formal way. Do what makes you happy. you need to apologize to everyone ☝️❤️
kabuakweteyprosper
375
celebrating a goal is an expression of one's feelings and the way it's been done is optional.i love kross but he branding a friend's way of celebrating as "nonsense" is out of context
LM10DGOAT
294
You are just upset bcos you never score goals and didn't get to celebrate
BarryLama
165
Dear Kroos you don’t make any sense Towards this Celebrations,,Just mine Your Business as you does Before
Joshua_Khoury
9
Toni we’re Africans you cannot tell us how to live our lives and culture you can’t force everyone to love Muller
No one gives a dommage if you’re African. You’re not special kid
dimi9
9
Did he force or was he saying that out of a soccer perception
Dude talking about perception when He Kroos doesn’t respect the rational for other players celebrations. No! We are not saying he and you should agree. We are saying respect everyone’s cuz there is always a reason why someone does something whether on or off the pitch.
themainman
8
You are just upset bcos you never score goals and didn't get to celebrate
r u okay? that Kross never scores goal? r u kidding right now? oh dear!