Antonio Rüdiger has reiterated that his immediate focus remains on Germany‘s World Cup campaign despite the growing excitement surrounding José Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid.
Speaking to DAZN following Germany’s 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, the veteran defender was asked about the prospect of finally working under Mourinho next season. Rather than getting carried away by the anticipation, Rüdiger made it clear that the World Cup is his priority before turning his attention back to club football.
“Excited about Mourinho? Let’s think about the World Cup and then I’m going to be with my dad.”
“Excited about Mourinho? Let’s think about the World Cup and then I’m going to be with my dad.”
While Rüdiger kept his answer brief after Germany’s defeat, he had spoken at greater length about Mourinho earlier this week, revealing just how eager he is to begin working with the Portuguese coach after years of near misses.
“I can’t say too much, but I can say that I’m incredibly excited. Finally, I’m going to play under him. In the past, there were many conversations with him, but for some reason, it never came to fruition. That’s why I’m even happier to welcome him to us now.”
“I can’t say too much, but I can say that I’m incredibly excited. Finally, I’m going to play under him. In the past, there were many conversations with him, but for some reason, it never came to fruition. That’s why I’m even happier to welcome him to us now.”
The 33-year-old also reflected on a difficult 2025-26 campaign, admitting that injuries made it one of the toughest periods of his career before he fought his way back to full fitness.
“I had a difficult year last year, especially physically. I had to fight a lot with injuries and I managed to come back.”
“I had a difficult year last year, especially physically. I had to fight a lot with injuries and I managed to come back.”
Rüdiger’s perseverance was rewarded with a new Real Madrid contract through 2027, and the German international emphasized that remaining at the Santiago Bernabéu was always his objective.
“Real Madrid is practically my home. I feel very good there, my family feels very good there, and that’s why I never really thought about anything else. I just wanted to get back in shape and earn my new contract. And I did it.”
“Real Madrid is practically my home. I feel very good there, my family feels very good there, and that’s why I never really thought about anything else. I just wanted to get back in shape and earn my new contract. And I did it.”
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