Barcelona fans charge against Toni Kroos following Pedri’s injury

In a highly anticipated match between Spain and Germany, a significant incident in the 6th minute sparked controversy and outrage among fans. German midfielder Toni Kroos was involved in a harsh challenge with Spanish and Barcelona midfielder Pedri, leading to severe backlash from Spanish and Barcelona supporters.

The tackle occurred early in the game, with Kroos’ tackle resulting in Pedri sustaining an injury severe enough to force him off the field.

Toni Kroos’ tackle on Pedri left the Spaniard on the ground, and substituted a minute later ( (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images))

The young Spanish talent, who has been a pivotal player for both his national team and his club, Barcelona, was visibly in pain as he was helped off the pitch. This premature exit raised concerns about the extent of his injury and its implications for both Spain’s tournament prospects and Barcelona’s upcoming fixtures.

In the aftermath, fans of Spain and Barcelona took to social media to express their anger and disappointment. The backlash against Kroos was immediate and intense, with many fans accusing him of intentionally targeting Pedri. On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, one fan labeled Kroos as a “Madrid agent on a mission,” insinuating that the Real Madrid player had ulterior motives in injuring a key player from their arch-rivals, Barcelona.

The comments did not stop there. Another fan went as far as wishing for Kroos to retire after the match, a sentiment that carries an additional layer of irony. Kroos, 34, had already announced his intention to retire from professional football after the tournament. This controversial incident has now added fuel to the fire, intensifying the scrutiny on Kroos as he faces the possibility of ending his career on such a contentious note.

Kroos, who has been a stalwart for Germany over the years, winning numerous accolades including the World Cup in 2014, now finds himself at the center of a storm. His illustrious career, marked by his exceptional passing and vision on the field, is now overshadowed by this unfortunate incident. While some fans and analysts argue that such tackles are part and parcel of the game, the severity of the challenge and its impact on a young player like Pedri have left a bitter taste.

Spain’s medical team have revealed a statement on the player’s injury, saying he suffered an internal lateral sprain of his left knee. More tests will be performed to rule out associated injuries. He will not play again at the Euros.