Toni Kroos has called the training-ground fallout between Antonio Rüdiger and Niclas Füllkrug a “good thing” at a news conference ahead of Euro 2024.
Having played against each other in the Champions League final earlier in June, Rüdiger and Füllkrug were widely reported to have fallen out in a crossing drill during Germany‘s Monday training session, with the situation ending with the two men pushing one another.
Asked about the incident on Tuesday, Kroos said: “I see it as a good thing when situations like this occur. Although I had to take the wind out of the sails a little, it wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously.
“The only person Niclas was angry with was the referee. He knows that it’s his own fault if he gets into a duel with Toni.”
The pair were seen smiling as they walked out to training together on Tuesday.
Kroos, who won the Champions League alongside Rüdiger with Real Madrid in his last ever club game, will retire from football after Germany’s European Championship campaign this summer.
He said it is a privilege to compete in a final tournament in his home nation even though it comes with added expectation.
“Basically, at every tournament on home soil [there is pressure]. It is even more special,” Kroos said. “You get feedback instantly, the positive and the negative. We have a big responsibility for the atmosphere in the country for the next few weeks. We know what this is about but it is also a great honour and joy to play this tournament.”
Germany kick off the tournament this Friday, facing up against Scotland in Munich.