Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos found himself the most unpopular man in their expedition to Saudi Arabia last week, after he was booed and whistled through the Spanish Supercup. The German metronome had criticised players for moving to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi human rights record, and defended the LGBTQIA+ community, something that did not go down well. However his latest social media post has seen him branded a hypocrite online.
Kroos said the treatment from Saudi fans was ‘fun’, seemingly unphased by their anger. Yet on Wednesday the German midfielder released an advert post in partnership with Real Madrid and United Arab Emirates Tourism Board ‘Visit Dubai’, in which he encouraged people to travel there on holiday.
Loved experiencing #DubaiForReal with @realmadrid. #VisitDubai #Ad #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/dLlwc36DFL
— Toni Kroos (@ToniKroos) January 16, 2024
While their abuses of human rights have not been as egregious as those in the Saudi Kingdom, there is still a chronic lack of freedom of expression, equality and human rights afforded in Dubai too. Many pointed out that his morals seemed to have deserted him when it came to the latter, when he was getting paid.
Thought Kroos stood for human rights in Saudi Arabia's case.
This ad sends a message of the opposite direction. https://t.co/a0nvLoe0p0
— Kai E. Iliev (@jdeposicion) January 16, 2024
Vinicius Junior and Athenea del Castillo have also participated in the campaign, and he was likely contractually bound by Real Madrid to take part in it. Nevertheless, had Kroos wanted to take a stand, Los Blancos were unlikely to have obligated him to take part. Kroos has not only criticised Saudi Arabia for their human rights record in the past, but also questioned the hosting of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to their human rights record and inhumane working conditions.
Ah, que no le gustaba Arabia Saudi porque él prefiere cobrar de Dubai. Muy lógico todo. https://t.co/BE4Q4hjUPO
— Llourinho (@Llourinho) January 16, 2024
