Antonio Rüdiger is on a roll: in the German national team he has established himself as the undisputed chief of defense and for the new season he is moving to Champions League winners Real Madrid. FC Bayern was also considered a candidate. But apparently not for the 29-year-old.
The rumors persisted, but they were apparently unfounded: National soccer player Antonio Rüdiger, who switched from Chelsea to Real Madrid, apparently never considered a transfer to Bayern Munich. In the interview with "Marca", the 29-year-old did not mention the German record champions, but he said: "There have been many discussions during this time, but if I'm honest I only considered Madrid or Chelsea." The national team's undisputed chief of defense stressed: "Real Madrid's winning mentality suits my character."
The defender joins the Champions League winners on a free transfer. Officially not until July 1st, but Rüdiger should already be presented in the Spanish capital on June 20th. There he will have the former Bayern professionals Toni Kroos and David Alaba as colleagues. With the Austrian he will have to be the regular central defense in the coming season. Rüdiger was knocked out of the competition with Chelsea in the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League against the royals.
The professional revealed that he had already been contacted by the Madrilenians "in September or October" last year. "When Madrid first got in touch...imagine that. It was like...wow! A club like this doesn't call you that often, it was amazing." The change is "a big step" for him. "Probably the greatest of my career." He is "very motivated" and can't wait for the first game at the Bernabéu.
Rüdiger was also asked about the match between Germany and Spain on November 27 in the World Cup group stage in Qatar. "Now that I'm going to Spain I'm even more excited," he confessed. "If you want to win the World Cup you have to beat the best. And Spain are one of the best teams." The last game against the Spaniards (0:6) was "very painful".
