(foto: Instagram)
Retired German legend Toni Kroos criticised 23-year-old Enzo Millot’s €28m move from Stuttgart to Saudi Arabia, accusing the midfielder of chasing money over sporting ambition.
Toni Kroos may have hung up his boots, but the German icon is not staying quiet. The 35-year-old continues to share strong views on football through his podcast with brother Felix, and his latest target is Enzo Millot.
The French midfielder, just 23 years old, left VfB Stuttgart this summer to join the Saudi Pro League for €28m. For Kroos, the move represents everything wrong with modern football decisions made by young players.
“He will only line his pockets for two years,” Kroos said, blasting Millot’s decision to prioritise money over sporting development. “At that age, you should be challenging yourself in Europe, not cashing in.”
The German great admitted he would have loved to see Millot join a club like Bayern Munich or even Atlético Madrid, who had shown interest before the Saudi switch. Instead, he accused the midfielder of “wasting years” in a league that does not help careers grow.
A repeat warning from Kroos
This is not the first time Kroos has condemned moves to the Middle East. In 2023, he called Gabri Veiga’s transfer to Al-Ahli “shameful” after the Spanish talent chose Saudi Arabia at just 21. Veiga has since returned to Europe, joining FC Porto for €15m this summer.
“It’s an incredibly bad example for a lot of young players that money is the motivation,” Kroos said at the time. He himself rejected several Middle Eastern offers late in his career, choosing to retire in Europe after the Euro 2024.
Kroos’ decorated legacy
Kroos’ stance carries weight given his glittering career. A product of Bayern Munich, he broke through at Bayer Leverkusen before becoming one of the game’s best midfielders. He went on to play 464 matches for Real Madrid, winning four Champions League titles, four La Liga crowns, and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
With 113 caps and 17 goals for his country, plus domestic and European success in both Germany and Spain, Kroos’ criticism is rooted in experience at the highest level. For him, Millot’s choice shows a lack of ambition, and he fears it sends the wrong message to a new generation.