Antonio Rudiger is currently with the German national team, but the defender can not stop fantasizing about making his Real Madrid debut.

Rudiger is the club's first signing for the 2022/23 season, and this is the biggest move of his career. Before his presentation on June 20, the German spoke with MARCA about how excited he is to start his new adventure in Spain.

It has not even been a week since Real Madrid announced your signing. What are your thoughts?
I am very proud, but I am not sure what it all means because I have not even been to Madrid yet. I will go with my entire family as soon as I finish with the German national team, and I believe I will finally understand what signing for Real Madrid means.

Is it clear to you that this is the most important step in your career?
Everything in football, as in life, is a chapter, and this is a new chapter for me. Obviously, this new chapter is significant because it represents a significant step forward for me. It is most likely the biggest of my entire career.

What was your first thought when Real Madrid called you?
I was astounded the first time I heard from Madrid. They first contacted me, I believe, in September or October. A club like this does not call you very often, so it was incredible.

What did you think when you scored at the Santiago Bernabeu with Chelsea? What was it like for you in that environment?
It was my first time at the Santiago Bernabeu, and we had gone to see it the day before. When you look up, you can see the entire stadium structure. You realize it is a special place and want to play that type of game in that type of stadium. You want to play not only against Madrid, but also for them. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned that day, and they were crowned champions. As a result, I applaud them.

Did you like the stadium?
Of course, yes. I have already seen pictures of how it will look when the work is completed, and it will be much better. I am excited to be able to play there.

Carlo Ancelotti told the club after that game, "We need to have Rudiger in this team."
Yes. Ancelotti is well-known in the football world. He is a fantastic coach, as evidenced by his victories in LaLiga Santander and the Champions League. I do not need to say much about him, and all I can say is that working for a coach like Ancelotti is an honor for me. I have been watching him on television since I was a child. It is a great honor.

Have you talked to Ancelotti?
Yes, I did speak with him.

How did the conversation go?
It was a friendly conversation. He told me that everyone in Madrid was overjoyed to have me, which made me very happy. It is obvious that Ancelotti is one of the people who contribute to Real Madrid's dominance, but he is not the only one. Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Casemiro... He told me they were all very happy, which makes me proud. It also makes me realize how well I have performed over the last three years, which motivates me to do even better at Real Madrid.

Is it difficult for a new player to join a club that has won 14 European Cups?
Yes, there is pressure, but it is the history of Real Madrid. They are accustomed to winning and have a winning mentality. But their winning mentality matches my personality.

We saw the video recently in which you asked Hazard not to go to Madrid.
I recall, I recall... and he ended up staying that year! He left the following season, after winning the Europa League. We were sad when he left, but I was happy for him because I knew Madrid had been his dream since he was a child, he told us. He was a big Zidane fan. I am delighted to see Eden again, this time in Madrid. I know it is been a difficult few years for him, with numerous injuries and problems, but I still hope Madrid fans can see the Hazard I played with, because he was undeniably one of the best players in the world.

What do you have in mind for your first day in Madrid and your presentation? What will you say to the Madridistas? Have you considered it yet? 
What I am going to say to the Madridistas and my teammates that day is simple for me, and I can say it right now. In every match and situation, I will give my all. I can assure you of that. Every day, I am going to give my all.