On Monday, Real Madrid presented Antonio Rudiger as their new player.. The 29-year-old was assigned jersey number 22.
Described as one of the best defenders in the World by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez during his unveiling. Antonio Rudiger signed a four-year contract with European Champions and he is expected to earn €250,000 a week.
The video of Antonio Rudiger first day at Real Madrid has been embedded here:
What did Antonio Rudiger say in his first interview?
In his first interview, the new Real Madrid number 22 said: “First of all, I’m very grateful to be here. It’s like I’m dreaming, but this is real and I feel immense pleasure to be here. I’ve never seen anything like this before, Real Madrid City is simply spectacular, it thrills me and I look forward to the day when I start training there.
“I think everyone knows and this can be seen here. I’ve always said that the Champions League is Real Madrid’s competition because that’s where you see the club’s real side.
“Ancelotti, the manager, has played a big part in this. After I spoke to him I was convinced I wanted to join Real Madrid. But in general, everything this club represents is evident”.
Antonio Rudiger added: “I’m a player with a strong character, but I think it’s best to leave the rest to others and not to talk too much about yourself. I think it’s hard to improve your speed, but I’m lucky because it’s something I have thanks to my genetics and I’m really pleased about that.
“On the pitch, I’m focused exclusively on work, but off the pitch I’m funny and I like to laugh and make people have a good time. But most of all I can laugh at myself. Since Toni Kroos is already on the team, and I don’t like to be called Antonio, I’d like people to call me Rudi.
“Ultimately, we are talking about players who have just won the Champions League, while Nacho, for instance, has won it five times.
“It’ s a very good combination of experience and, say, Militão who is a bit younger but also internationally recognized and with a lot of games under his belt. I’m looking forward to starting”.
Antonio Rudiger also disclosed that Mateo Kovacic has told him a lot about Real Madrid.
The 29 year old German international said: “I haven’t spoken to Kroos too much about Real Madrid, I’ve spoken to Mateo Kovacić and he’s told me a lot of things because he talked a lot about Modrić. He told me: ‘You go there and enjoy it, it’s a great move for you. I’ve never heard a bad word about Real Madrid.”
