He has been in negotiations for the past few months, but Vinícius Júnior has now officially said no to a mega-contract in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hilal tried to make him their big star, willing to pay Madrid a fortune and, to him, more than €1 billion ($1.08 billion) over four years. After rejecting the offer, Saudi Arabia haven't wasted any time and have already set their sights on their next target at Real Madrid: Antonio Rüdiger.
Antonio Rüdiger receives a huge offer from Al-Hilal
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has revealed that Antonio Rüdiger had a major offer from Arab soccer on the table. In a meeting held in the past few hours, they offered him a "salary three and a half times higher" than what he currently earns at Madrid. The center-back had the chance to go there for two seasons, with an optional third year in the deal.
Despite this, Rüdiger's response was clear and firm: "I'm not interested, I'm staying at Real Madrid". At 32 years old, he believes he still has a lot of soccer ahead of him and, at the very least, wants to fulfill the contract he has signed. This doesn't end until June 30, 2026, and when the date approaches, he'll decide what to do with his future, having already spent a season with Xabi Alonso.
Antonio Rüdiger: A life insurance for Real Madrid
Antonio Rüdiger has established himself as one of the main pillars of Real Madrid. At 32 years old, the German center-back is experiencing one of the best moments of his career, being the true leader of the white defense. With character, physicality, and an intensity that is contagious, he has earned the respect of the locker room and Madridist fans.
Since his arrival from Chelsea, Rüdiger hasn't stopped growing under pressure. This season, he has been indispensable in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, and with Xabi Alonso's arrival on the Real Madrid bench, everything suggests that he'll remain a key piece in the new merengue project.
Xabi values his authority, his international experience, and his reliability in important matches. In addition, his versatility and leadership make him an essential asset to face the challenges ahead, both in La Liga and in Europe.
With a valid contract and the club's full support, Antonio Rüdiger has no intention of moving. He has a lot of soccer ahead of him and will keep setting the example for the younger players. At Santiago Bernabéu, they're calm: the German wall will keep shielding Real Madrid next season.