Rudiger excited to link up with 'father' Mourinho at Real Madrid

Antonio Rudiger quipped that Jose Mourinho is his footballing father as he looked ahead to working under the returning Real Madrid boss next season.

Mourinho won three trophies – one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana – in his first spell at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013.

He is now back for a second stint following the departure of Alvaro Arbeloa, who – like his predecessor Xabi Alonso – only lasted half a season as Madrid went without silverware in 2025-26.

Madrid have been busy in the transfer market ahead of Mourinho's return, having already agreed deals to sign Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva and Ibrahima Konate.

But they have also retained one of their most experienced players in Rudiger, with the centre-back signing a one-year contract extension earlier this month.

Rudiger has made 182 appearances for Los Blancos since joining from Chelsea in 2022, helping them win one LaLiga crown and one Champions League among eight trophies overall.

Rudiger's combative style is something he shares with his new head coach, and speaking to DAZN after Germany's 2-1 World Cup defeat to Ecuador on Thursday, the 33-year-old suggested it should be a good fit.

He said: "Excited about working with Mourinho? We're going to think about the World Cup and then I'll go to my father!"

Last week, Rudiger noted in a press conference that he had missed out on previous opportunities to work with Mourinho, saying: "I can't say too much, but I can say that I'm very excited. At last, I'm going to play under him. 

"In the past, there were many conversations with him, but for some reason it never happened. That's why now I'm even happier to have him with us."

Madrid's 2026-27 LaLiga fixtures will be confirmed on June 30, with Mourinho coming off the back of an unbeaten Primeira Liga campaign with Benfica in 2025-26, albeit one that did not result in silverware as they drew 11 of their 34 games to finish third.