Antonio Rüdiger, Real Madrid's defender, affirmed that his defensive solidity is an integral part of his character and success with the royal team, adding that he always strives to play on the edge to ensure superiority in individual confrontations.

Rüdiger said: "Being a solid defender is part of my DNA. If you want to specialize in one-on-one confrontations at this level, you can't just be a nice companion. You have to tell the attacker: 'Today is going to be a tough day for you.' It's a matter of mentality."

He continued: "If I set aside that intensity, dedication, and playing on the edge, my value would be half of what it is. That edge is what brought me to Real Madrid. In Madrid, they appreciate and celebrate that. Without it, I wouldn't have won the Champions League twice or played this many matches for my country."

The German defender added: "If the criticisms are presented seriously and objectively, of course, I take them seriously because I know myself that I have committed actions that clearly crossed the line. This makes me more focused. I don't want to be a source of problems; rather, I want to provide stability and security. The discussion reminds me of my responsibility, and at certain moments, I wasn't at the required level."

Rüdiger concluded his remarks about the injuries he suffered by saying: "I put my health second and wanted to be 100% for Real Madrid, because there's nothing I hate more than leaving my teammates. Would I do it again? Maybe yes, however, after my surgery in 2025, I clearly told myself that I can no longer continue."