Real Madrid legend reveals key defender had PSG, Bayern offers before Bernabeu move | OneFootball

It has been a few years since Antonio Rudiger joined Real Madrid and it is perhaps safe to say that it has been quite the purchase for Los Blancos.

Even during the final phase of his career, Rudiger has performed superbly and has emerged as a real defensive leader for the club.

Rudiger’s performances have been criticial in helping the club move on from Sergio Ramos while the German international has also played a key role in helping Eder Militao establish himself.

Makelele reveals his message to Rudiger before Real Madrid move

Speaking in a interview with Free Foot, former Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele shared the advice he gave to Antonio Rudiger before he decided to join the Spanish giants.

Makelele was sure Rudiger had to join Real Madrid (Photo by Pierre Suu/Getty Images for Laureus)

“The first thing Rudiger did when he got the chance to sign for Real Madrid was come and ask me: ‘What do you think?’” Makelele revealed.

The former Los Blancos star, who played a key role in Madrid’s success during the early 2000s, encouraged Rudiger to seize the opportunity. “I told him: ‘Run, that’s your chance,” he said.

At the time, Rudiger had multiple offers from top European clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. However, Makelele was firm in his stance that Madrid was the best choice for the German defender.

“He had offers from PSG, Bayern. I said to him, ‘You already have everything, but do you really want to become a player of that caliber? Then go there. Rub your shoulders with the greatest players, and you will understand what it means,” he had told Rudiger.

Needless to say, Rudiger did heed to Makelele’s advice and joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. The rest, as they say, is history.