Antonio Rüdiger, a Real Madrid player, spoke about his family's experience as refugees from Sierra Leone and emphasized the importance of understanding and respect for those who flee from war.

Antonio Rüdiger, German international and player at Real Madrid, took a firm stance in defense of refugees in an interview for The Guardian. He emphasized that his family fled from Sierra Leone in 1991, during the civil war, and expressed his deep respect for those facing similar situations. Rüdiger stated that it is not easy to leave everything behind and start a new life, highlighting that people do not flee by choice, but out of necessity.

Growing up in Neukölln, a neighborhood in Berlin with a diverse community, he highlighted unity through football, which transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. Rüdiger also addressed racial prejudices, recalling the racist insults he suffered in 2017, emphasizing that we should not generalize the negative behaviors of some individuals to the entire community. He encouraged a deeper reflection on these social issues.