Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has come to the defence of Jude Bellingham, describing the England international as one of the most complete footballers in the world. The former Germany star voiced his support after a wave of criticism was directed at Bellingham during a challenging spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Kroos stands up for his former teammate

In recent months, Bellingham has faced scrutiny from the Spanish media and certain sections of Real Madrid supporters following what many perceived as a dip in form. Although he made a remarkable start to his career in Madrid, a run of injuries – including a shoulder operation and several muscular problems – disrupted his ability to sustain the incredible standards set during his debut season with the club.

Kroos, who played alongside the 23-year-old before announcing his retirement, dismissed the negative commentary. Speaking on a podcast with Rio Ferdinand, the German great was eager to highlight Bellingham’s immense talent. “His first year in Madrid was crazy. It surprised me quite a bit,” Kroos admitted, reflecting on their time together at the club.

Among the world’s elite

The criticism directed towards Bellingham has been intense, with some even questioning whether he should remain an automatic starter. While rumours about his personal life have surfaced, Kroos remains unwavering in his assessment, insisting that the England midfielder continues to belong among the best players in the sport today.

The former Madrid maestro was emphatic in his praise, saying: “He is one of the most complete midfielders in the world.” Kroos further explained that Bellingham’s skill set is exceptionally rare, adding: “I see things in him that are very, very special.”

Ferdinand calls out false narratives

Joining Kroos in defending the young midfielder, former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand argued that there has been a deliberate attempt by some to distort Bellingham’s image through misleading stories. The English pundit claimed that the narrative being built around the player does not reflect his true personality or his dedication to football.

“They have tried to give an image of him that does not correspond to reality,” Ferdinand said during the discussion. He also condemned specific reports that surfaced during Bellingham’s tougher periods, bluntly adding: “They have tried to invent stories.”

For Ferdinand, the criticism surrounding the Real Madrid star is an unfortunate consequence of his rapid ascent to global fame.

Letting his football do the talking

Bellingham recently offered his own response to the criticism after playing a starring role in England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia at the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder, who was among the scorers, used the post-match interview to reflect on the external noise he has faced in recent months.

“Personally, it was nice to put some of the noise aside and just show my country and my teammates how committed I am to helping us try to win games,” Bellingham told reporters. Acknowledging that he sometimes deserves criticism, he added: “I know it’s part of being a footballer; I don’t hold a grudge against anyone who says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it. Today I think it was nice to try to show people and remind them who I am.”