“He was always understood”
Toni Kroos praises much-criticized ex-ARD expert
Updated January 30, 2026 – 7:15 a.mReading time: 3 minutes
Toni Kroos and his brother Felix have chosen their best football experts on German television. The number one is no longer allowed to talk about a club on TV, another has been in hiding for years.
Football can be argued and discussed at all levels: Viewers’ opinions regularly differ as to who is a good commentator and which expert analyzes what is happening best. In their joint podcast “Einfach mal Luppen” Toni and Felix Kroos presented their personal ranking of who cuts the best figure on the TV microphone. There is no agreement on the placements between the brothers.
For Felix Kroos, the ZDF duo Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker came in third. They would do it “really well.” Toni Kroos only chose some of his former DFB colleagues and put Kramer in second place. “I really enjoy listening when he talks – whether you agree with him or not is anyone’s guess.” He is a “top expert”.
Toni Kroos, however, chose Mehmet Scholl for third place. “He spoke the language of football, and as an active footballer he was always understood,” he remembered. He also praised the ex-Bayern player’s own style and that he “came across it in a friendly and amusing way”.
Scholl was a TV expert on ARD from 2008 to 2017, but after he refused to talk about doping in Russian football at the 2017 Confed Cup, the two sides parted ways. The ex-national player had repeatedly been offended by his statements. He returned to the 2024 European Championships in his own format for the “Bild” newspaper.
In second place for Felix Kroos is Matthias Sammer, who accompanies the Champions League for Prime Video and is praised by Kroos for his “aggressive expertise”. The 58-year-old is “top-notch in terms of content and always very well prepared,” said the former Bundesliga professional. He also recognizes a development. “He has become more relaxed and fun, has become more relaxed. And always expresses his opinion authentically.”
However, this can also have negative effects. In January 2025, he sharply criticized Borussia Dortmund’s performance as an expert on Prime Video. “The team is in a bad state physically and mentally,” he said at the time – even though he worked as an external consultant for BVB in addition to his TV work. Since he continues to work in an advisory capacity, he is no longer allowed to be in front of the camera during Westphalia broadcasts on the streaming service.
