Antonio Rudiger confident he can prosper with Real Madrid after Chelsea move

Antonio Rudiger believes his character suits the winning mentality of Real Madrid and revealed he has spoken to manager Carlo Ancelotti about the club’s ambition.

The Germany defender, 29, left Chelsea to sign a four-year contract with the European champions last month and has spoken about his move for the first time.

Asked in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca about whether he could handle the weight of expectation at the Bernabeu, he said: ‘Yes, it’s pressure, but it is the history of Real Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger has spoken about his move to Real Madrid and believes he has the strength of character required to succeed at the Bernabeu after joining from Chelsea

Rudiger has spoken to the Spanish media for the first time since making his move last month

‘They are used to winning and the mentality is that: to win. But their winning mentality goes with my character.’

Rudiger is currently on international duty, playing for Germany in their UEFA Nations League games with Italy and England, both 1-1 draws, this week.

But he has already imagined his unveiling at the Bernabeu in the months ahead, saying: ‘What I’m going to say that day to the Madridistas and my team-mates is easy for me and I can say it here right now.

‘I will give my heart in every match and in every situation. I can promise that. I’m going to give 100 per cent every day.’

Real defeated Liverpool to win their 14th European Cup just a couple of weeks ago but the signing of Rudiger from the 2021 European champions Chelsea was a signal of their intent to keep pushing on.

Rudiger has been mocked up in Real kit online but he hasn’t been officially unveiled yet

He featured in Germany’s 1-1 draw with England in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday night

Rudiger spoke at length to Ancelotti and revealed: ‘It was a very welcoming conversation. He told me that everyone was very happy to have me at Madrid, and that makes me very happy.

‘It’s clear that Ancelotti is one of the people who make Real Madrid very strong, but he isn’t the only one.

‘There are Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro… He told me they were all very happy and that makes me proud.

‘It also makes me realise that I have done well these last three years and that gives me motivation to do even better at Real Madrid.’

Real have just won the European Cup for the 14th time, beating Liverpool in the final

Rudiger won the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his five seasons at Chelsea but it was Real who ended their title defence in the quarter-finals last season.

The defender now follows in the footsteps of Eden Hazard, who cost Real over £100million but has seen his time with the club so far wrecked by injury.

Rudiger added: ‘I’m very happy to be with Eden again, now at Madrid.

‘I know it’s been a tough few years for him, with a lot of injuries and problems, but I still hope Madrid fans can see the Hazard I played with, because he was undoubtedly one of the best players in the world.’