After the death of Franz Beckenbauer
Toni Kroos complains about German treatment of idols
January 10, 2024, 10:18 a.m
Did the public not celebrate Franz Beckenbauer enough when he was still alive? Yes, says Toni Kroos. He calls for a different way of dealing with sports heroes. Meanwhile, record national player Lothar Matthäus is once again speaking out against the world champion’s return.
Former world champion Toni Kroos would like to see better treatment of sports idols like Franz Beckenbauer, who died last Sunday. “Nobody is perfect, everyone makes mistakes and certainly he too,” said the Real Madrid soccer midfielder in his podcast “Einfach mal Luppen”. But in Germany, too, many would try to “pee on someone’s leg a little bit,” said Kroos: “Let’s accept that someone is so big and such a good person that he deserves to be celebrated. And Above all, to be celebrated throughout your lifetime.”
He is of the opinion that, despite some weaknesses or bad decisions, people should celebrate icons like Beckenbauer “even more – during their lifetime and not always after they have died,” said 34-year-old Kroos. He believes “that these people deserve even more recognition.”
Beckenbauer became world champion in 1974 as a player and in 1990 as team boss. As head of organization for the 2006 home World Cup, he was jointly responsible for a historic “summer fairy tale” – even if revelations in connection with the award later cast a shadow over the tournament and Beckenbauer’s role.
Matthäus rejects Kroos’ return
Toni Kroos is one of the greatest German footballers in history. The 2014 world champion can also look back on five victories in the Champions League, three German championships with FC Bayern Munich, three championship titles in Spain with Real Madrid, three successes in the DFB Cup, one in the Spanish Cup and many other trophies. He has been one of the most important players at Real Madrid for years.
Nevertheless, recognition for his sporting achievements in Germany lags far behind his successes. After winning the Champions League in May 2022, the midfield star canceled an interview with ZDF and also complained about the negative reporting. Most recently, he was linked to a DFB comeback at the home European Championship in the summer of 2021.
While national coach Julian Nagelsmann recently publicly considered this return, the idea is not met with universal approval. “A clear no to that!” said record national player in “Sport Bild”. Although he considers the 2014 world champion “to be one of the best footballers our country has produced in its history,” Matthäus explained: “But where should he play? If you bring Kroos back, you automatically weaken İlkay Gündoğan, even as captain. They have already proven in the past that the two of them don’t work together on the six. It’s similar to the double six with Kimmich – it doesn’t fit.”