Antonio Rüdiger revealed in an interview that he may consider continuing his career in Saudi Arabia and praised Thomas Tuchel as the key figure behind his move to Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old German defender stated that despite having a contract until 2026, he is not opposed to playing in Saudi Arabia, as it does not necessarily mean leaving top-level football.
“Kante returned to the France national team. Someone playing in Saudi Arabia doesn’t mean he becomes a worse player,” Rüdiger explained.
Rüdiger unhesitatingly credited his former coach Thomas Tuchel for his move to Real Madrid: “Tuchel is the best coach I’ve ever had; he has all the qualities. He changed everything at Chelsea. He’s extremely honest – he’s the one who paved the way for me to play for Real Madrid today.”
Rüdiger emphasized: “Without Tuchel, this would not have been possible. Because my ultimate goal was to play for Real Madrid.”
He also mentioned that he has recovered from a left rectus femoris injury: “It took a long time, but I’m fully fit now. This period also gave me the chance to step away from the spotlight, which is sometimes good… because everything I do is easily amplified; there are so many games, and it’s better when no one is talking about me – I can spend time with my family and kids.”
As an experienced veteran, Rüdiger admitted that his physical condition has indeed changed with age.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I still have the desire to come back. I know my body very well, and things are different as I get older. To be able to play, I need to feel good, and fortunately, I’m in good shape now. I’m not as arrogant as people think – I’m open to criticism.”
