MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 24: Antonio Ruediger of Real Madrid acknowledges the fans prior to the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and Deportivo Alaves at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 24, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.

Antonio Rudiger names the player he would like to bring to this Real Madrid team

Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Since his arrival at Real Madrid in 2022, Antonio Rudiger has gone on to become one of the most important members of the Merengue dressing room. He is the clear leader of Carlo Ancelotti’s backline, and also one of the most influential voices in the dressing room.

The German defender has 112 total appearances for Real Madrid, in which he has also scored 5 goals and provided 3 assists.

As MARCA has reported, the former Chelsea star appeared in an interview with the YouTube channel The Inside Scoop and talked about different aspects of the Merengue team.

When asked to name one player whom he would like to bring to his current team, the German had an Arsenal player in mind:

“I would sign William Saliba… I am very happy with my teammate in the central defender position, Eder Militao. He has returned from a tough injury and is regaining his best form. But with so many games, we would rotate, and having Saliba… would be great.”

The Real Madrid defender also spoke about one of his teammates, Jude Bellingham:

“I believe that if God sets your time, no one can do anything about it, and He was always there at the right time. And, fortunately, he has wonderful parents. I spoke with his mother a couple of times, met them at Chelsea, and Jude told me that his mother remembered that I was the only one who greeted them that day.”

Rudiger also took this opportunity to clear up any doubts about Mbappe’s influence on the Merengue dressing room:

“You hear these things, ‘Oh, Kylian will affect the locker room,’ but he’s a grounded guy. I see him as mature, and he’s already scoring goals, making an impact, and the link-up play with him, Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Jude is improving.”

When asked to name the best player he had played with in his career, Rudiger had a former Real Madrid forward in mind:

“The best footballer I’ve ever played with? Karim Benzema. I could have said many others. You know, I could have mentioned Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, or Eden Hazard, but I have to stick with Karim Benzema because he was a great forward. His intelligence is incredible! World class.”

The defender also talked about some other aspects including his celebration style, Lamine Yamal, and his most difficult opponent. This interview will provide Real Madrid fans with an opportunity to get to know the defender they have already started loving in a better way.

Tags Antonio Rudiger Jude Bellingham Karim Benzema Kylian Mbappé William Saliba