That doesn't make them right. This sport especially has a hardcore group of stuck up fans who think you need to be a 4th generation fan of your local team to actually count, regardless of how much time or money you put into the team you support.
I think it's a global sport, that's for certain. And money is coming in from every corner and the clubs encourage it.
But I also think the romantic idea of having and supporting a truly local team hasn't been completely eradicated. I've met Germans who are from
near Munchen or Cologne but support their own town's much smaller team with ferocity. A friend of mine goes to every Fulham home match, without fail. My former co-workers were all Gooners and paid £4000 for the privilege of being able to purchase season tickets.
There's an element of local support that is undeniable. I'm not local, if I live where I live for even another ten years I doubt I'll ever be local like some of these people. So if one little bit of banter makes them stuck up, I'd rather allow them the latitude to make the joke, as I've seen over the past two years of living here, and I will co-opt it too because it's funny.
The Messi-Ronaldo nonsense here is exhausting anyway. Keep piling on Kroos, if that's your jam.