Real Madrid News
Lucas Vazquez reacts to heartfelt tribute from Real Madrid fans – ‘Proud and grateful’
Real Madrid legend Lucas Vazquez, now playing for Bayer Leverkusen, has expressed his deep gratitude for the tribute he received from the ‘Grada Fans’ at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The gesture came during Real Madrid’s high-profile Champions League clash against Juventus, and the player said he felt “proud and grateful” for the recognition.
“I dreamed of it as a child. I lived it as a man. Proud and grateful, always. Although far away, my heart is still there.
“Thank you for so much, Real Madrid,” Lucas wrote on social media, adding a white heart to highlight his connection with the club.
The tribute was inspired by a childhood photo of Lucas Vazquez wearing a Real Madrid scarf in the Bernabeu stands.
This image served as the blueprint for the tifo displayed on Champions League night, a thoughtful nod to the player’s journey from a young fan to a professional who once wore the Real Madrid jersey.
A special tribute on a big night
Real Madrid fans wanted the tifo to be memorable for such an important match against a prestigious opponent like Juventus.
The club’s supporters ensured that the display would be tied to Lucas Vazquez’s childhood memory, creating a scene that resonated with both the player and the fans alike.
The tifo included a message that echoed one of the songs played during the game: “Let’s see the Bernabeu, let’s see the champion.”
This moment certainly highlights not only the bond between Real Madrid and its former players but also the deep respect the fans hold for those who have represented the club.
For the 34-year-old, the gesture must have clearly brought back childhood dreams and memories, showing that even years later, his heart remains with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
