Antonio Rudiger discusses his recent trip to Sierra Leone and the work he is overseeing to make a real difference in the country.

Rudiger went to Sierra Leone, his mother’s homeland, to launch a new foundation focused on promoting change and improving the fortunes of people in this small West African nation.

Although he lives in England, was born in Berlin, and represents the German national team, Rudiger’s roots are firmly planted in Sierra Leone. His mother was born in the countryside and his parents had recently moved back there after raising their family in Europe. He feels a responsibility to use his fame and popularity to make a difference.

“It was a great trip,” he told us after returning to Cobham. ‘This is my second time visiting the country, although this time was a bit more stressful with busy days launching the fund and meeting the president.

‘I’ve wanted to do this for a while because it’s very personal to me so when I heard we were going to have a week off, I made plans from there. My parents moved back here four years ago and I haven’t seen my mother in years so that’s why I had to go back to Sierra Leone.’

Rudiger’s charitable foundation has a number of ambitious and far-reaching goals, focusing on improving education, infrastructure, and inclusivity in sports, as well as education and literacy in the country. has a population of 8 million people.

Although much progress has been made over the past decade in improving prosperity across the country, the poverty rate remains at 43% according to the latest update from the international development organization the World Bank.

“The whole purpose of the foundation is to help disadvantaged people get ahead in the future,” Rudiger explains. ‘It was important for me to do this in Sierra Leone because I wanted to connect with people.

‘This is not a one-man show. I want to cooperate with people and organizations so that we can join hands to create a better future for the young generation.’Earlier in 2020, he donated more than $100,000 to the initiative ​ ​Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education, which supports more than two million children in primary and secondary schools. Recently, he sponsored life-changing activities for 11 children with foot problems. As part of the trip, the 28-year-old also visited the Sierra Leone Amputee football team.

“It is part of our focus on sports inclusivity,” he continued. ‘These guys have the same passion and love for football as me but unfortunately, they have suffered some serious injuries.

‘I don’t want these people to decline in society. I also want them to be noticed so we have to get them involved and pay attention to them. The same goes for gender and women. I want everyone to be equal.”

African sport is enjoying the limelight as the Africa Cup of Nations heads into its later stages, with Edouard Mendy’s Senegal recently booking their place in Sunday’s final. For Sierra Leone, who are participating in the tournament for the first time since 1996, it was a chance to show the world their strength and quality, even if they missed out on a place in the round of 16.

Rudiger also wants to continue to push the agenda for Sierra Leone and his appointment as football ambassador for the country is aimed at continuing the country’s rise to prominence on the international stage. However, on a more personal level, improving opportunities, hopes, and dreams is what matters most.

“The boys deserve a lot of praise as they have worked fantastic to qualify for the first time in 25 years,” Rudiger added.

‘It helps put Sierra Leone in a different light because all you hear about the country is the civil war or the Ebola virus. Most of it was negative so it was refreshing to see us in a different light.

‘Of course, being honored by the president is probably the greatest thing you can receive so I’m really honored and proud. The reception I received from everyone was really warm and I really didn’t expect it.