Riedinger: “I never thought I would go to Real, it wasn’t even a dream because I thought it was impossible”

After five years in London and Chelsea o Antonio Riedinger changed a chapter of his career and moved to Madrid for Real.

The Germany defender, who has scored two goals in 17 games for the Merengues, explained in his interview with AS that he never thought he could play for Real.

In fact, he revealed that Barcelona had expressed an interest while not even considering their case.

“To be honest, playing in the Premier League has always been the big dream of my life. I never thought Real Madrid would happen to me. I didn’t think about it. He was good at Chelsea. And if you finally realize that Real Madrid want you, you say: “Wow!” Suddenly, when you come, everything is wonderful.

When I found out about Real OrI’m in London with my brother, he told me. He could not believe it. I can’t even explain what I felt. It still gives me goosebumps.

My Barcelona knocked on the door. But I haven’t thought about it. As I said before, Real Madrid wasn’t even a dream for me because it seemed impossible. If you look at the names that have played here: Zidane, Ronaldo, Cristiano. And I had the chance to play with Modric, Kroos or Benzema. It was hard to say no.”

The 29-year-old also referenced his childhood and the difficulties he experienced:

“At home we were six brothers and there wasn’t much money. We lived in a very harsh area where there were many refugees. When I was little, it was normal for me to fight on the street. It was just natural.

Where I come from, only the fittest survive. So is. And that’s me today. Quitting isn’t in my DNA, it’s not in my head. That’s why my mother calls me a soldier. And today I’m still like that, very stubborn. I don’t like losing. I find it difficult to accept.

I started playing soccer on the street. You can imagine what those games were like without a referee. Lots of fouls, lots of toughness. Nobody wanted to lose. Sometimes we made a bet: “The one who loses has to go and buy doner kebabs for the other person”. Imagine the tension that was there. But it was great.

Somehow I learned to be tough on the pitch. Nobody was there to help you, you were alone, the game was tough and nobody was going to come and help you.”