Only Kimmich has more stakes
©IMAGO
Long-time defense chief Antonio Rüdiger accepts his new role as challenger to Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck in the national team without public complaint. “If Julian needs me, I will be there – whether it’s the starting line-up or the bench to secure the result,” said the 33-year-old Real Madrid professional in “Kicker” with a view to the World Cup in the summer.
With 81 appearances, Rüdiger is the most experienced player behind captain Joshua Kimmich (106) in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s 25-man squad for the international matches on Friday (8:45 p.m./RTL) in Basel against Switzerland and three days later in Stuttgart against Ghana.
Due to injury, Rüdiger missed the World Cup qualifiers in October and November 2025. Bayern professional Tah and Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck established themselves as a duo in the center of defense in the fall. “Jona and Nico are playing very well this season and, above all, very consistently,” said Rüdiger: “In any case, central defense is the position in the squad where we have some of the best options across the board.”
Rüdiger is sure that his moments will come at the tournament in America at the latest. “During a World Cup we need more than just eleven players anyway, especially this summer: the conditions will be very demanding, but also the travel effort and the slightly increased number of games,” said Rüdiger with a view to the first final round with 48 teams and also in view of his experience from taking part in the Club World Cup in the USA with Real last year.
Nagelsmann greatly appreciates the polarizing Rüdiger as a footballer and team player. “What I can say is that Antonio is incredibly committed to the national team,” the national coach recently emphasized: “That he is someone who is extremely protective of the national team family and does everything to ensure that we are successful.”
