As a boy, Antonio Rüdiger would gaze from his bedroom window to see if anyone was using the pitch below. Though modest in size, it featured two goals and space for six-a-side matches, where the young player sharpened the abilities that carried him to elite levels.

He spent his early years in Berlin's Neukölln district, a neighborhood filled with refugees, after his parents arrived following the civil war in Sierra Leone. By his description, it was a challenging place, yet football helped steer him clear of problems.

Rüdiger, getting ready to play for Germany at the World Cup, notes: "We lacked phones for arranging meetups like 'Hey, let's connect.' Instead, we checked the window, spotted others kicking a ball, and joined in. That served as the signal. Germany offers such pitches everywhere, though lately they see less action as people shift toward digital routines."

The Real Madrid player has discussed his background since joining the UNHCR's Gamechanging Team, a collection of footballers with displacement ties who back refugees and counter misconceptions. Rüdiger avoids seeking pity for past struggles. Rather, he recalls a lively, tight-knit group marked by strong bonds.

"When someone lacked food or milk, they turned to a neighbor," he explains. "Everything got shared. That sense of unity ranked among my finest memories."

Football anchored the neighborhood. The 33-year-old describes it as an outlet for positive energy among the boys. "Football brings people together even now, just as it did then. No shared language is needed to grasp the game. A ball and players suffice to build connections."

"Those unable to speak the local tongue still understood football's language. It proved wonderful and continues today. You team up with individuals from varied origins, where background holds no weight."

Rüdiger is the youngest of six children. Only he and one sister were born in Germany. The others left Sierra Leone after civil war erupted in 1991, when the Revolutionary United Front sought to topple the government. The 11-year conflict displaced roughly 2.5 million people, about half the nation's population. Homes were ruined and families spread across borders.

Later, Rüdiger questioned his parents, German father Matthias and Sierra Leonean mother Lily, about their path and life differences between the countries. "They came simply to secure better prospects for us," he says.

"Respect for them runs deep. Leaving everything to begin anew is tough. People seek safety not by choice but necessity. My family's story helps me relate and empathize. Listening to them matters greatly."

Rüdiger views unfair stereotypes about refugees as misguided. "Good and bad exist in all groups," he observes. "They go together, sadly. Yet some arrive determined to rebuild positively."

He urges broader perspective. "A crime by one black individual does not label all as criminals. Focus must stay on that person... more thought is required."

These experiences have fostered his caring approach. In 2022, he launched the Antonio Rüdiger Foundation to fund schools in Sierra Leone for education, health, and sports. He expresses "strong drive to assist those in need."

Rüdiger prepares for his third World Cup after Madrid missed major honors for two straight years. Spanish reports highlight club issues, with José Mourinho set to return. "Two trophy-less years can occur," Rüdiger states. "Noise surrounds it, but football allows this. Honest steps and proper decisions lead forward. Simple as that." He adds: "No point lingering on past seasons. Draw conclusions and advance, since lost time stays lost."

Rüdiger focuses ahead as Germany's World Cup opener versus Curaçao nears. The four-time winners trail only Brazil in titles but exited groups since 2014 and reached no Euros semis beyond 2016.

"A nation like Germany with its football legacy does not attend merely to appear," Rüdiger says. "Best efforts are expected. Some sides lead now, yet underdog status can motivate."

This fits Rüdiger's path from that Neukölln pitch to World Cup appearances and titles with Chelsea and Madrid.

"Emerging from that background shows anyone can succeed," he concludes.