Vinícius Júnior is a player who is always facing backlash and criticism due to his behaviour on the field. Not because of his playing style (which is world-class), but for his every game fights with rival players, rival fans and even referees.

We have been going through situations for some good long years now. However, what many thought would have stopped by now keeps repeating game after game. This latest time, words of advice did not come from a journalist, a rival or even a LaLiga official... it came from a person he knows pretty well as he used to share the stage with him: the one and only, Toni Kross.

A toxic behaviour that can affect the whole team

While attending an Icon League event, the retired German player talked about his past moments with the Brazilian winger at Real Madrid, talking about how his actions sometimes negatively affected the performance and image of the team.

At that time, I often told [Vinícius] that enough was enough, because it felt like the whole team was being harmed by his behavior

Toni Kross

He obviously understands that Vinícius' behaviour comes from many years of him dealing with the worst part of being a famous athlete, where he has faced the mockery, insults, threats and abuse from many rival fans in LaLiga. Still, Kroos admitted that he sometimes felt like that feeling turned against everyone.

It's understandable that at some point he might be annoying, whether it's to a player from the opposing team, a referee or the opposing fans. As a team, you get the feeling that everything is now turning against everyone because of him

Toni Kroos

Now living a new chapter of his life outside of football, the midfielder shared that he often used to calm Vini down during the games, in order for him not to lose focus and be able to perform his great style.

I often tried to calm him down a bit on the field, but mainly to keep him from losing focus, because it sometimes happened. I often told him: 'Vinícius, you're so good you don't need that at all

Toni Kroos

Even though his words may sound hard or direct, they both shared the pitch for six years - since Vini's arrival at the team in 2018 until Kroos' retirement last 2024 summer. They won many trophies together, being two Champions Leagues (2022 & 2024) and three LaLiga titles (2020, 2022 and 2024).

A familiar debate inside Real Madrid

The situation reflects way more than a behaviour issue. Since Vini arrived at Real Madrid, he has been the target of many disrespectful displays: provocations, abuses, bullying... all of that since he arrived from Favelas in Brazil to Real Madrid at his early 17 years of age. As these acts toward him have not ceased at all, his maturing phase of life has been influenced by these traumatic experiences, creating the arrogant and overbearing personality he has now while playing football. Outside of the field, he is just a normal 25-year-old man.

While representing Real Madrid it is crucial to understand how to balance the passion and personality. Vinícius has proven to be one of the club's most important players, but his temperament remains a point of discussion among former teammates and analysts.

That is why Kroos' remarks reinforce the idea that Real Madrid expects emotional control to match competitive excellence , a standard that has defined the club's identity for decades.