Toni Kroos received the first red card of his professional career during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Girona today.
It’s a record that’s lasted throughout his 15-year career and was finally ended when he received a second yellow card in injury time.
Madrid had taken the lead through Vinicius Junior but were pegged back by a penalty 10 minutes from time from Cristhian Stuani.
It was a frustrating night for the reigning Spanish and European champions who had a Rodrygo goal ruled out by VAR in the 90th minute.
The result sees them remain top, a point ahead of their rivals Barcelona who edged past Valencia last night.
But the real story comes with Kroos, 32, seeing red for the first time since an U19 game for Bayern Munich before he became a professional player.
He received his second yellow card for seemingly stopping a counter attack in added time, with the German not protesting his innocence as he walked off with a wry smile.
Perhaps moments after the tackle he realised that he would finally be given his marching orders for the first time in 15 years.
One fan tweeted: ‘I mean, it was a bad tackle…’
One fan was shocked to hear the statistic: this is Kroos first red card in his professional career whattttt lol.’
Another blamed manager Carlo Ancelotti’s substitution: ‘Ancelotti left Kroos (with a yellow card) on the pitch and took off Camavinga. For Asensio.’
After 740 games, it almost seems crazy that a midfielder would be able to avoid a sending off, especially playing at such a high level for so long.
He also isn’t one of the quickest midfielders either, which stands as a testament to the art of playing with a caution – after all, he’s had 84 yellow cards during his career and clearly he’s mastered the dark arts of the midfielder.
Having achieved almost everything across his career, he can finally boast that he’s been sent off as a professional.
After 740 games, it almost seems crazy that a midfielder would be able to avoid a sending off, especially playing at such a high level for so long.
He also isn’t one of the quickest midfielders either, which stands as a testament to the art of playing with a caution – after all, he’s had 84 yellow cards during his career and clearly he’s mastered the dark arts of the midfielder.
Having achieved almost everything across his career, he can finally boast that he’s been sent off as a professional.
Source: Sky Sports
