During his Real Madrid unveiling, Antonio Rudiger admitted to turning down Barcelona to sign for Los Blancos.
The Germany international called time on his five-year stay with Chelsea earlier this year after he and the West London side failed to come to an agreement over a contract extension.
Given the Blues' ownership saga that was only recently resolved, Rudiger thought it would be best if he looked for greener pastures, and he has since signed for the 14-time European champions.
Before agreeing to join the Spanish giants, though, there was interest from other clubs, one of them being Barca, but the centre-back has insisted there was no way he was going to join the Catalan team.
"Yes, there was interest from Barcelona," Rudiger said during his unveiling on Monday, as per ESPN.
"But I told my brother it was Real or nothing."
The 29-year-old also revealed that talks with Real initially began at the beginning of the 2021/22 season but then cooled. Following his performance against the LaLiga champions in the UEFA Champions League, the Madrid side once again reinitiated talks with the player.
"The first time there was contact it wasn't really myself, it was my agent," the Berlin native added.
"That was in September last year. The second time, when I spoke directly with Mister (Carlo) Ancelotti, was in April. That was the most important moment. That was when I made my choice.
"What Madrid did last year in the Champions League, I don't know how to describe it.
"It was incredible... When you come to a big, massive club it's important, but I try to enjoy the pressure. I see myself as lucky to be here."
