‘Do you want us to keep crying?’ – Real Madrid defender refuses to sulk on failures and outlines way forward | OneFootball

Antonio Rudiger has delivered a candid assessment of Real Madrid’s recent struggles, insisting that the club cannot allow a prolonged trophy drought to become the norm.

The German defender, who is currently away with the national team ahead of the World Cup, but during an interview with The Guardian, reflected on a difficult period for Los Blancos. 

Despite entering recent campaigns with the highest expectations, Real Madrid have endured two consecutive seasons without securing a major title, culminating in a particularly disappointing trophyless campaign last season.

For a club that is synonymous with trophies, Rudiger acknowledged that the situation is far from ideal.

Rudiger calls for honesty

The defender, who has renewed his contract with the club, admitted that difficult periods are part of football but stressed that Real Madrid must respond in the right way rather than dwelling on past disappointments.

Antonio Rudiger has called for improvement. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

“These things can happen – going two years without winning a title – but it shouldn’t be the norm.”

The centre-back then explained what he believes is required if Real Madrid are to return to competing for the biggest honours.

“You just have to take the right steps and be honest with yourself, draw the right conclusions and carry on for another year. It’s very simple. 

“What do you want us to do? Do you want us to keep crying over the last few seasons at the end of the day? No. Let’s draw the right conclusions and move forward, because what is lost now cannot be recovered.”

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Rudiger has talked about the dressing room problem. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Rudiger addressed another topic that has generated significant discussion in recent months – reports regarding tensions and problems inside the Real Madrid dressing room.

As often happens when results fail to meet expectations, rumours and speculation have increased around the club. 

However, the defender suggested that such situations are a natural consequence of not winning.

“When you’re not winning, there’s a lot of noise about everything. There are many things—I wouldn’t say they’re more important—but this is football; it can happen,” he concluded.