Max Kruse spoke clearly to Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold. Hours earlier, Arnold had dished out against his suspended colleague.

"It's Friday evening. A perfect evening for the weekend - you might think. I haven't said anything for five weeks. But apparently I'm just omnipresent in some heads. Someone always has to talk about me, keeps taking me as an example, although nobody knows him asks," Kruse said in his Instagram story. "Says I only train for three and a half hours and he's there longer, he pays attention to his body. We know why it is. Namely, those who have less talent have to train more."

Although Kruse did not name his colleague, it was clear to whom his words were addressed. A few hours earlier, Arnold had criticized the work ethic of his suspended teammate. In the kicker podcast FE:male view on football, the VfL captain explained: "I really like going to work, I'm usually here, not three and a half hours like Max Kruse, but also a little longer. I like to do something for myself and my body ."

Arnold had already indicated in September that his relationship with Kruse was not the best. "Everyone knows about the qualities of Max Kruse. Everyone also knows about the qualities that Max Kruse doesn't have," said the midfielder after the 2-0 defeat at Union Berlin.

Kruse attracted attention in August with pithy statements about his working hours as a professional footballer. On Twitch he described: "My daily working hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.." Kruse's statements were not well received by Niko Kovac. "There are others who stay longer and do follow-up treatment, care, stretching, the whole program. There are also players who spend many more hours at the training ground. Effectively and qualitatively," said the Wolves coach.

Since the beginning of September, Kruse has not been considered by Lower Saxony for disciplinary reasons.

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Kruse shoots against Arnold: "Who has less talent...".