Real Madrid News
Former Barcelona superstar backs Vinicius amid Rodri’s critique
Vinicius Jr did not attend the Ballon d’Or ceremony after being snubbed of the award at the nth minute and was rightfully shown slack for the same.
He did, however, gracefully accept the decision later and put the subject past him, only using the setback to fuel him to greater heights.
Manchester City’s Rodri, meanwhile, has not allowed the dust to settle and has taken repeated jabs at the Real Madrid star after winning the award.
Neymar comes to Vinicius’ support
Earlier this week, the Ballon d’Or winner spoke to the media about the Brazilian winger and his attitude on the field as he saw it.
“I think he’s a smart guy and with time he will realize that the more he pays attention on the field, the better he will be. Athletes are not just what you represent on the field, but also off it,” he said, attacking Vinicius Jr.
Now, the Real Madrid star’s compatriot and former Barcelona star Neymar Jr appears to have publicly come out to protect his teammate from Rodri’s words.
“He became a talker now,” Neymar commented under an Instagram post with Rodri’s words and even added a facepalm emoticon along with it.
It is, after all, not the first time that the Manchester City star has taken a dig at Vinicius. He even openly criticised the Brazilian recently for not turning up for the Ballon d’Or ceremony stating that he did not know how to lose gracefully.
Real Madrid will hope Vinicius can stay undistracted by the noise in the media and keep his form going as they return to action against Leganes. After all, he has been carrying the team’s attack this season.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
