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Fans are involved in a heated argument on social media after Barcelona's Pedri was injured following a tackle by Real Madrid star Toni Kroos. The incident took place in the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash between Spain and Germany on Friday, July 5.
Pedri was subbed off after he became victim to a rough tackle by Kroos in the eighth minute. It left the youngster in tears as he limped outside to be replaced by Dani Olmo. The Real Madrid midfielder didn't receive a yellow card for his tackle, leading to Barcelona and Los Blancos fans debating whether it was the right decision.
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Many fans were of the opinion that Kroos pulled off the rough tackle on Pedri intentionally, hinting at their club's bitter rivalry in the La Liga. Meanwhile, others felt it was a professional tackle and nothing personal. Here are some reactions:
"Was it intentional by Kroos?" a fan asked.
"He wants to retire Pedri with him today ?? Shameless old man he is 😤😤" another individual added.
"So Kroos ends Pedri's tournament and Taylor doesn't even book him. Disgusting," Youtuber Mark Goldbridge added.
"No yellow card to kroos for this horrible challenge on Pedri.. madrid players intentionally injure players in match knowing the fact that the corrupt UEFA won't punish them at any cost... What a disgrace," another user wrote.
Meanwhile, other fans argued that the Barcelona star is simply injury prone and Kroos's tackle was not yellow card worthy.
"That was not a harsh challenge He’s just injury prone" a fan noted.
"He got the ball first this isn’t a yellow." another user observed.
"Kroos got his foot/toe on the ball first so it was a good job by the ref to not show a yellow. Not a clean tackle but not a yellow card worthy challenge either" a user commented.
"Guess he did it professionally" a fan shared.
Barcelona star Pedri hoped Euro 2024 quarter-final would be Real Madrid's Toni Kroos's last game
Ahead of Spain's Euro 2024 clash against Germany, the Barcelona midfielder was asked about Toni Kroos in a pre-match press conference. He hoped it would be the Real Madrid star's final international game, saying via MARCA:
“Toni Kroos? I hope it'll be his last game. He’s a legend,” the Barcelona star said.
Pedri's statement came after the Los Blancos star announced his retirement from football in May this year. Real Madrid's 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final on June 2 was his final game for the club. If Germany loses to Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-final, it will be Kroos's final game in professional football.
Meanwhile, following Pedri's injury, he will be ruled out of Spain's next games in the Euros, if La Roja qualify for the semi-final. Injuries have been a major challenge for the Spaniard in the recent years of his career. He missed 25 games for Barcelona and Spain in the 2023-24 season owing to injuries.
