Antonio Rüdiger revealed in an interview why he didn’t switch to FC Barcelona in the summer. Besides Real Madrid, only one other club came into question for the international.
“I thought Real Madrid would never happen to me. It just didn’t even cross my mind,” Ruediger told Spanish sports newspaper AS. Numerous clubs were interested in him in the summer. However, only two clubs came into question for the native of Berlin.
“Obviously there were more teams, but I only considered two, Chelsea and Real Madrid. I’d worked very hard in London over the past five years and achieved a certain status. That was it, or Madrid,” stressed Ruediger .
FC Barcelona also wanted to sign the 29-year-old. However, the Catalans didn’t stand a chance against Real Madrid, as Rudiger revealed: “They [Barça] knocked on my door, they did. But for me it wasn’t an option. As I said before, Madrid wasn’t even a dream for me , because it seemed unattainable… If you look at the names that have played here: Zidane, Ronaldo, Cristiano… To have the opportunity to play with Modric, Kroos or Benzema… It was difficult, to say no.” (Quoted via Sport Bild)
When his move to the Bernabéu was confirmed, Rüdiger continued, he was overwhelmed. Half-brother and advisor Sahr Senesie brought him the news: “He was the one who told me. I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t explain what I felt. I still get goosebumps.”
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Antonio Rüdiger explained: That’s why I didn’t switch to Barça.
