Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has revealed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left him needing stitches after a tackle in Sunday's El Clasico.
The former Arsenal striker scored twice and added an assist in a sensational 4-0 win for Barcelona, continuing his impressive goalscoring start for his new club. The goalscoring exploits sent Arsenal fan Piers Morgan into a Twitter meltdown, but the broadcaster wasn't the only one left reeling after the display.
Kroos only managed 45 minutes at the Bernabeu, leaving the field at the break to be replaced by Camavinga, and the German has revealed Aubameyang was to blame. It's not the first time the pair have faced off, though, with an off-field row between them dating back a number of years.
"I had a wound and they had to sew my tibia with three stitches," Kroos said on his podcast (via Mundo Deportivo ). "I saw that I was bleeding, but I didn't really notice it in the game".
The injury was the result of a challenge from Aubameyang, who opened the scoring in the first half and also scored Barca's fourth after the restart. Real Madrid's players sought punishment for the striker, but he escaped without a card, and he now has nine goals in 11 appearances since moving to Camp Nou.
Despite the defeat, Kroos remained confident the league leaders have what it takes to win the title. "We have to raise our heads again," he said. "Everyone would have signed at the beginning of the season to be as we are.
"The season has been very good so far, we are doing very well and there are two months left in which we cannot allow what has happened to us. change the course. We have many possibilities of titles"
Who will win La Liga? Have your say in the comments section
Kroos won't have been delighted to see Aubameyang celebrating for his new club, given the source of the previous bust-up between the pair. Indeed, it was the former Dortmund man's use of masks in celebrations in Germany and England which irked his fellow 32-year-old.
"If there are rehearsed dances or choreographies, I find it silly," Kroos said in 2020, making reference to the Gabon forward's antics. "Celebrating with masks, that’s where it ends for me. I don’t think that’s a good role model either. What nonsense."
Aubameyang hit back on social media, though. "By the way, does this Toni Kroos have kids?" he asked.
"Just to remember I did it for my son few times and i will do it again. I wish you have kids one day and make them happy like this Junior School pupils Talk and don't Forget #maskon #staysafe."
After their extraordinary spat a few years ago, their meeting on the pitch saw Aubameyang well and truly have the last laugh.
