Real Madrid and Germany defender Antonio Rüdiger has spoken out about his family's experience as refugees, urging that displaced people be heard and understood. The 33-year-old, who grew up in the Neukölln district of Berlin, joined the UNHCR's 'Gamechanging Team' to challenge stereotypes about refugees.
Rüdiger's parents fled civil war in Sierra Leone, which began in 1991 and displaced about 2.5 million people. He is the youngest of six siblings, with only himself and one sister born in Germany. Reflecting on his parents' journey, he said: 'It was for them simple to come here for us young ones to have a better life. You have the utmost respect for them. It’s not easy to leave somewhere behind and start somewhere new.'
The defender emphasised that refugees have no choice but to flee: 'It’s not that people are seeking refuge because they want to – no, because they have to. They have no other choice. Because this happened to my family I can understand those people and feel with them. It’s important that they be listened to.'
Rüdiger recalled a vibrant, close community in Neukölln, where neighbours shared food and supported each other. Football was central to that community, uniting people across language barriers. 'If someone couldn’t speak the language, the football language we all understood,' he said.
He also called for perspective on negative stereotypes, noting that 'in everything we have good and bad'. He added: 'If someone commits a crime, if the person is black, for example, does that mean every black person is a criminal? No, you have to deal with that specific person.'
In 2022, Rüdiger established the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation, which raises funds for schools in Sierra Leone to invest in education, wellness and sport. He said he has 'a lot of energy to help those who are in need'.
