Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender reveals the nickname he uses for Jose Mourinho
Nico Schlotterbeck’s injury has seen the spotlight glow brighter on Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger at the FIFA World Cup.
The veteran defender has now emerged as a starter with the young centre-back injured and even played all ninety minutes in Germany’s game against Ecuador last night which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
While the result indeed comes as a blow, Germany have secured the top spot in their group and will advance to the knockouts with a relatively favourable draw.
Rudiger’s fond comment
Speaking to DAZN via Mundo Deportivo in a recent interview, the Real Madrid defender was once again asked what he felt about Jose Mourinho’s signing as the team’s new manager.
The German centre-back, with no hesitation, went on to make a quote that has gone viral for all the right reasons, especially the fondness with which he called the Portuguese tactician.
“Excited about Mourinho? Let’s think about the World Cup and then I’ll go with my father,” he said.
For him to call his ‘father’ needless to say, signals warmth and a sense of comfort between the player and the man who is set to be his club-level manager in just over a month.
Uniting for the first time
While Rudiger’s comments suggest that he has worked with Mourinho in the past to have that level of closeness, the fact of the matter is that the Portuguese manager and the German star have never crossed paths before.
The centre-back came close to playing under Mourinho on a couple of occasions, but always missed it by a whisker.
Back in 2013, the manager returned to Chelsea for his second stint at the club and Rudiger played for VfB Stuttgart at the time when Mourinho scouted him and flagged him as a target.
The move never unfolded and the manager was sacked from Chelsea in 2015, only for Rudiger to join the same club in 2017.
Notably, he was a target for Mourinho’s Manchester United in 2016 as well but the move never happened.
Further, the player was at AS Roma for two years between 2015 and 2017, and Mourinho himself arrived at the same club a few years after the player moved to Chelsea. The circle, needless to say, is fascinating.
In what will come as a pleasing development for fans, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid forward Rodrygo could make a comeback from his injury earlier than expected.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been out of action since March after suffering an ACL injury during a La Liga game against Getafe.
Due to the complete rupture of the ACL, coupled with associated meniscus damage, it was suggested that the attacker was staring at a lengthy time out on the sidelines and might not return until 2027.
In fact, the forward’s father, Eric Goes, recently stated in an interview that the Real Madrid ace could be back in February next year, just before the business end of the campaign.
Rodrygo could be back in December
However, as per the update from Romano, Rodrygo’s comeback could happen well before that expected date.
Indeed, if things continue to progress at the current rate, the 25-year-old attacker might return to action in December or by January 2027 at the latest.
This will come as a welcome boost for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that Rodrygo is a valuable player for the team.
Even though he had endured a tough spell prior to his form, the Brazilian’s versatility, work rate off the ball, and eye for a goal make him an asset.
Rodrygo eager to be back at his best
The update from Romano further states that Rodrygo feels very grateful to Real Madrid for all the help and support they have given him during this difficult phase of his career.
As such, the Brazilian international has made it a mission to return to action in the best shape possible and make an impact from the get-go.
The attacker has only recently begun working on the pitch with the ball indicating the significant progress he has made on the road to recovery.
And, if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could recover one of their ace attackers before the end of the current year.
So far in his career, Rodrygo has made 297 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 71 goals. He has a contract with the club until 2028.
