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England international Jude Bellingham and France striker Kylian Mbappé have sent heartfelt messages to participants at the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation Gala, expressing their support for the foundation’s humanitarian work despite being unable to attend the event.
The Real Madrid teammates apologised for their absence and commended Antonio Rüdiger for his commitment to improving the lives of children in Sierra Leone through his charitable initiatives.
The gala served as a fundraising event to support children living with clubfoot in Sierra Leone, Germany and the United States. Funds raised will help provide treatment and care for affected children through the foundation’s programmes.
Rüdiger, who was born in Germany in 1993 to Afro-German father Matthias Rüdiger and Sierra Leonean mother Lily Rüdiger, holds Sierra Leonean citizenship through his maternal heritage. The Germany international has consistently expressed pride in his Sierra Leonean roots.
In 2022, he established the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation to support vulnerable children and communities. In recognition of his contributions, President Julius Maada Bio appointed him Sierra Leone’s Global Football Ambassador.
During his most recent visit to Sierra Leone in 2025, Rüdiger met with football stakeholders and travelled to Kono District to expand the foundation’s activities. He also outlined plans to establish a football academy in the country as part of his long-term vision to support youth development through sport.
