Antonio Rudiger cherishes Florentino Perez’s gesture during 2016 injury battle​

Antonio Rudiger has recalled a deeply personal moment from 2016, just as he works through another injury that has sidelined him from Real Madrid’s lineup.

The German defender revealed that after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament that year, he received a handwritten letter of support from Florentino Pérez, something he never expected from the Madrid president at the time.​

Rüdiger admitted he “couldn’t believe it” when the message arrived and said the letter is still carefully kept by his mother, underlining how much that gesture meant to him during one of the toughest periods of his career. Now, while he focuses on recovering fitness to help Real Madrid again, that memory remains a symbol of the trust and warmth he has felt from the club.​

The defender’s story comes as reports suggest Real Madrid want him to stay long term, reinforcing the sense of mutual appreciation between player and president.

For Rüdiger, the letter from 2016 is more than a nice gesture; it is a reminder that behind the pressure and injuries, there are human connections that can shape a player’s relationship with a club.