German international footballer, Antonio Rudiger, has penned a farewell message to Chelsea FC, as he leaves the club for 2022 UCL Finalist, Real Madrid.
In a touching message posted by Rudiger on The Players Tribune, titled ‘Dear Chelsea’, the defender expresses his love for his teammates.
The 2020/21 UCL Central-Back of the season pointed out N’golo Kante’s humility in particular, praising his character.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid Completes Signing Of Toni Rudiger
“I want to talk about the Champions League final. But for you to understand, I have to tell a quick story about one of the nicest guys in football. Rudiger stated.
“I am speaking, of course, about N’Golo Kanté.
“Before I came to Chelsea, I had heard all the beautiful stories about him. They said he is always smiling. It was said he still drives an old Mini Cooper. They said he never raises his voice. But you know how it goes in football, right? No one is really like that.
“There is too much pressure, too much disappointment. We are all human. No one is that cool all the time. It’s impossible. Then I met N’Golo.”
The 29-years old went further to narrate how Tuchel had changed his entire career after he was despised and dropped by Frank Lampard for his poor performances.
“We had a meeting one day, and the manager told me that we had a deep squad and that he preferred others over me.
“Boom — that was it. After that, there were a lot of rumors. I was getting a lot of abuse on social media. It was the hardest time in my career, and I stayed silent because I did not want to cause issues for the club.
“Imagine, if you would have told me that within a few months, I would be starting in a Champions League Final against City?
“But when you are hungry, nothing is impossible. It is the ones who are starving, the ones who have nothing to lose, who are the most dangerous. When Tuchel came in as manager and gave me a chance, it was a new life for me.”
Rudiger is expected to be announced as a new Madrid player at the end of the season, after 5 years with Chelsea.
Everything is now done between Real Madrid and Toni Rüdiger. The deal has been completed, according to sources from the club. Contract until 2026.