It was either Real Madrid or Chelsea. Antonio Rudiger apparently had offers from various clubs in the past couple of months, but he never thought about any of those. He was always going to Madrid – and staying at Stamford Bridge was the plan B.The German international defender admits that the move to Real Madrid feels almost unreal to him – partly because he still hasn’t actually been to the Spanish capital since the news of his signing was broken. Speaking to Marca, he said that he’s just made the biggest step of his career.”I’m very proud but at this moment I still don’t realize fully what has happened. As soon as the international break is over, I will go with my whole family to Madrid and only then I will comprehend the scale of the move and the club. But I do know that this new chapter in my life and career is a big one, probably the biggest I’ve ever made.”Thursday, 19.00: (1.28) Nigeria (5.50) Sierra Leone (11.0)The rumours of Real Madrid’s interest started early in the season, and the first contact with the Spanish giants came in September or October. It must be a shock to learn that the biggest club in the world is after you.”The first time I heard about Madrid, my first reaction was ‘Wow!’ A club like this doesn’t come calling every day.”Fate wanted Rudiger to visit Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as a Chelsea player in April. Even though he knew that would probably be his new home, he’s done an excellent job for Chelsea – and he even scored as Los Blancos just scraped into the Champions League semi-final.”It’s an amazing stadium. It’s huge and impressive. You realize it’s a special place as soon as you step in. I’m looking forward to playing there.”🎙| Rüdiger: “Real Madrid’s winning mentality goes with my character.” pic.twitter.com/GVPxxbzhzo— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) June 8, 2022 After that game, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti urged his club to go all out and secure Rudiger’s signature. That’s how impressed the legendary Italian was.”Everyone knows that Ancelotti is a top coach and a world football legend. You just have to look at his trophies, and it’s clear. I can only say that it’s an honour for me that such a coach likes me and wants me in his team. I used to watch him on television, and now he’s my coach!”Maybe third time is the charm? Liverpool reject Bayern’s second offerSpanish journalists wanted to know what Rudiger was outside the game.”I am just the opposite of what you see on the field. I don’t see myself as a superstar. I’m just a normal guy. I am privileged because I have a good life and play for big clubs. That is why I like to give back to the community, much of what people and football give me. I like helping in hospitals and going back to Sierra Leone. For me, true wealth is family. My parents live in Sierra Leone, and my sister and brother live in Germany. My wife and two children will come to Madrid with me.”🇩🇪🗣️ Antonio Rüdiger: “I’m still not aware of what all this means, but I have no doubt that I am facing the biggest chapter of my entire career.” @marca pic.twitter.com/uCZmqeehVU— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) June 8, 2022 Rudiger said that he idolized George Weah and Ronaldo Nazario when he was a boy. Even though he plays in a different position to those two legendary strikers, Rudiger is considered a goalscoring defender – something Real Madrid have missed since the departure of Sergio Ramos. It looks like a match made in heaven. Rudiger will soon put on the white shirt of Real Madrid.
