Rüdiger on criticism: "I don't want to be a source of unrest" | OneFootball

German national team defender Antonio Rüdiger has vowed to work on himself after facing media criticism which came his way in recent weeks. 

"I take serious and objective criticism seriously because I know myself that I had situations that were clearly over the top," the 33-year-old told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

“This also has an impact insofar as I am trying to be even more focused. I don't want to be a source of unrest, but rather provide stability and security," he added. 

Rüdiger received backlash from former German international Mario Basler after the defender appeared to knee Getafe's Diego Rico in the face when playing for Real Madrid. 

Basler said he “could no longer take the DFB seriously” after Rüdiger was called up – the player himself even acknowledged he hasn't always lived up to his role model status.

"This discussion shows me once again that I have a responsibility [to be a role model] that I haven't always lived up to in my career.

"I am definitely not a safety risk for my teams. I know exactly what minute we are in and what's at stake," the 33-year-old stated emphatically.