Popular Sierra Leone journalist Amadu Lamarana Bah recently shed light on German footballer Antonio Rudiger’s decision to represent Germany on the international stage.

Following Rudiger’s Champions League victory with Real Madrid, Bah had the opportunity to interview the star athlete.

“I remember asking him about playing for Germany instead of Sierra Leone,” Bah recounted. “He was very clear that Germany provided him with significant opportunities as a child. He grew up there and ultimately had to make a choice. Representing Germany has undeniably helped him reach his current level of success.”

The journalist emphasized that Rudiger’s national team affiliation doesn’t diminish his Sierra Leonean heritage. “He stressed that he remains a proud Sierra Leonean, a fact recognized worldwide,” Bah said. “He has consistently demonstrated his support for his home country through various projects assisting children. Even after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, he has maintained his connection with Sierra Leone, visiting and actively engaging with the nation.”

It’s important to note that Antonio Rüdiger was born in Germany in 1993 to a Sierra Leonean mother who had fled the civil war. This upbringing undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping his decision to represent Germany. Despite this choice, his strong attachment to his mother’s homeland remains evident.