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Rudiger speaks on snubbing Barcelona

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Mueez Ajao

– Antonio Rudiger said it was “Real [Madrid] or nothing” when he decided to leave Chelsea for a new challenge this summer, despite interest from LaLiga rivals Barcelona.

– Rudiger, 29, was presented at Madrid’s training ground on Monday by president Florentino Perez, signing a four-year contract at the club before posing with his new No. 22 shirt and taking questions from the media.

– In March Rudiger’s agent and stepbrother Sahr Senesie had met with Barca executives to discuss a possible transfer, before the player agreed a deal with Madrid a month later.

Also Read: OFFICIAL: Rudiger joins Real Madrid from Chelsea on free transfer

– “Yes, there was interest from Barcelona,” Rudiger said in a news conference on Monday. “But I told my brother it was Real or nothing.”

– The Germany international confirmed that initial talks with Madrid took place early last season, before the club’s interest was reignited when he impressed in their Champions League quarterfinal with Chelsea.

– “The first time there was contact it wasn’t really myself, it was my agent,” Rudiger said. “That was in September last year. The second time, when I spoke directly with Mister [Carlo] Ancelotti, was in April. That was the most important moment. That was when I made my choice.”

– Rudiger spent five seasons at Chelsea — having previously played for Stuttgart and AS Roma — becoming one of the most highly rated defenders in Europe and winning the Champions League in 2021.

– On Monday, Perez described him as “a magnificent player” and “one of the best defenders in the world.”

– Rudiger said that Madrid’s remarkable Champions League run last season — when they eliminated Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City with comebacks before beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final — had helped him make his decision.

– “What Madrid did last year in the Champions League, I don’t know how to describe it,” he added.

– “It was incredible… When you come to a big, massive club it’s important, but I try to enjoy the pressure. I see myself as lucky to be here.”

– Rudiger picked out Ronaldo Nazario and Zinedine Zidane as his two favourite Madrid players when he was growing up and identified their former centre-back Pepe as a defensive role model.

– “There are a lot of top, top centre backs, but if I had to choose one it would be Pepe,” he said. “He has characteristics I really like. Off the pitch, he’s a really good person. On the pitch, he’s a monster. I like that.”

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