Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender states his biggest goal: “If I don’t, it will be like a failure”
Speaking in an interview with GQ (h/t AS), Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has claimed that one of his biggest goals is to win the UEFA Champions League with the club.
The German international signed for Real Madrid last summer, arriving on a free transfer after his contract with Chelsea had expired.
Rudiger has been unable to nail down a place in the starting XI thanks to the presence of Eder Militao and David Alaba ahead of him in the pecking order.
But the physical and aggressive centre-back has delivered almost every time he has taken the pitch for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Goals and motivation
So far, Rudiger has made 53 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring two goals, while winning the Copa del Rey and the FIFA Club World Cup. However, the German international has his sights set on much bigger prizes at Real Madrid.
“I don’t feel I’ve won everything, to be honest. One of the big objectives I have is to win the Champions League with Real Madrid. If I don’t win it, it’s like a failure. I’m 30 years old, I’m in my prime and I’m very hungry for titles,” he said.
Talking about football in Spain, Rudiger stated: “It is very technical. There are very good players. All the teams try to play football and that’s what I like the most. Nobody stays back and they throw long balls. It’s also very intense, it’s high-level football.”
Rudiger also spoke in detail about what motivates him every time he steps on the field, as he said: “The most important motivation for me comes from my family. They see in me what no one else sees in me.
“They know better than anyone when I’m not in a good mood and they help me. For me the family is a motivation and it’s an emotion, it’s something that pushes me forward. If you play for Real Madrid and you’re not motivated by it, you have a problem.”
One of Rudiger’s best performances in Real Madrid colours came in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Manchester City, where he completely nullified the threat of Erling Haaland.
When asked about that display, he said: “I was absolutely calm. I know how far I can go if I am 100% physically and mentally.
“A circumstance was created that I love. In the days before, the media was wondering if I was going to be able to defend Haaland. There were a lot of doubts in the atmosphere and if I’m honest, I love that atmosphere: I shine even more when people doubt me.”
Racism in Spain
Over the past season, Real Madrid players, particularly Vinicius Jr, have been subjected to racist abuse by opposition fans. When asked if he had experienced the same since joining the club, Rudiger said:
“If you ask me if anyone has been racist towards me in Spain, the answer is no. There was a misunderstanding in Cádiz. There was a misunderstanding in Cádiz: it was published that they had been racist with me but I didn’t hear them.
“If you ask me if Vinícius Jr suffers from it, it’s obvious that he does. And when they insult him and are racist towards him, they are automatically racist towards me, even if they didn’t say it directly to me. But this is not just a problem in Spain, it happens everywhere.”
When asked if he thins Spain is a racist country, Rudiger replied: “Racism is a lack of education. I have always said it and I always repeat it. It’s important to say that it’s not all Spaniards, it’s some idiots.
“There are many Spaniards who do not tolerate racism. It is very important to point out that racists are only a minority in this country, but they need to be corrected.
“How do we put an end to this problem? The only thing I can say is to educate your children at school. It is very important that everybody knows that we are all equal.”
On how he is experiencing life in Madrid, the defender added: “I am very happy. I love the enormous amount of food options. I love Spanish food, although many of their dishes have pork in them, because of my religion I can’t eat it.
“But I’m really looking forward to trying Paella. Above all, what I like the most is that there are people from many different backgrounds living in peace. There are South Americans, African-Americans, Spaniards… all living in peace.”
On his pre-match rituals, Rudiger said: “I’m a Muslim. I believe in God and that’s why I like to pray before games. I pray that all the players, those in my team and the rivals will not be injured and I also pray for all the people at the stadium. I don’t need much, just to pray.”
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
