The 33-year-old centre-back ends a 12-year career with Die Mannschaft, hanging up his national team boots after earning 86 caps. He says he wants to focus fully on extending his high-level performances at club level with Real Madrid.
Born in Berlin to a Sierra Leonean mother, Lily, who fled the civil war in the early 1990s, and a German father, Rüdiger has always spoken with pride about his dual heritage. He has repeatedly described Sierra Leone as part of his identity, visited the country multiple times, and channelled support through the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation, which backs education, sport, health and community projects for young people and vulnerable groups back home.
“Time to make way for the young generation”
In a statement shared online, Rüdiger explained that the decision came after careful thought.
“After some time of reflection, the time has come for me to end my career in the national team and make way for the young generation,” he wrote.
He made his Germany debut in 2014 and reflected warmly on the chapter despite the absence of major tournament silverware in recent years.
“Even though the big titles were missed in the last tournaments and we had to endure some painful defeats, this time was an extremely special chapter that will forever define me,” he said.
Source: Sierra Leone Monitor
Stay tuned to AYV Media for reliable news, updates, and entertainment.
📻 AYV Radio 101.7 FM
📺 AYV TV Channel 33 & 34 | DStv Channel 399
🌍 AYV International
🔗 Visit the AYV News website for more stories.
