German · Berlin, Germany · Born 3 March 1993German professional footballer and centre-back who has won multiple Champions League titles with Chelsea and Real Madrid, known for his pace and physicality.
Antonio Rüdiger was born in Berlin, Germany in 1993 — born to Sierra Leonean parents. Roma developed him before Chelsea paid £29 million in 2017. His five Chelsea seasons produced the Champions League in 2021, two FA Cups and the Premier League. He signed for Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2022 — considered one of the best free agent signings in the club's modern history. His Madrid career has produced two Champions Leagues (2022, 2024) and two La Liga titles. His physical presence — he played an important role in the 2022 Champions League run by defending aggressively against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool — combined with pace and the willingness to engage physically makes him one of the most imposing defenders in European football. He was born into a family that fled civil war in Sierra Leone. He represented Germany 72 times. His financial decisions — taking significant pay cuts at points in his career — generated discussion about player values in modern football.
Winning back-to-back Champions League titles with different clubs
How They Played
Physical, aggressive centre-back with strong aerial ability and pace
Lasting Impact
One of Germany's most consistent defenders of the 2010s and 2020s
Career Honours
- Champions League 2x (2021,2022)
- La Liga 2x
- Premier League (2017)
- FA Cup 2x
- World Cup (2014 squad)
- Champions League 2021
- Champions League 2022
- La Liga 2022
- La Liga 2024
- Premier League 2017
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VfB Stuttgart II | 2011–2015 | — | 22 | 3 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 2012–2016 | — | 66 | 2 |
| Roma | 2015–2016 | loan | 30 | 2 |
| Roma | 2016–2017 | £29m | 26 | 0 |
| Chelsea | 2017–2022 | £29m | 133 | 9 |
| Real Madrid | 2022–Present | Free transfer | 113 | 3 |
 Germany | — | — | 72 | 4 |
German Athletes