Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Tuesday, November 11, 2025 7:52 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, November 11, 2025 7:56 p.m.
Antonio Rudiger (32 years old), Real Madrid's stopper, has not forgotten even after a decade of the terrorist attacks in Paris, on November 13, 2015. The German international played 90 minutes in the friendly match with the French national team (0-2), in which during the first half the terrorists of the Islamic State detonated explosive vests at the gates of the “Stade de France”.
On the occasion of the official launch in Paris of the new ball used at EURO 2016, a friendly match between Didier Deschamps' representative team and the German national team took place in the French capital, ending with the home team's victory (2-0), with goals scored by Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac.
The gala match, which benefited from a full stadium, was targeted by one of the attacks planned by the terrorists of the Islamic State, which could cause a bloodbath in the arena of Saint-Dennis.
One of the targets would have been the president himself François Hollande, who was present in the official tribune and who was immediately by the security services at the time of the first bang.
Antonio Rudiger: “I'll never forget that night. For a long time, I didn't understand what was really happening there!”
On November 13, 2015, the Islamic State bloodied the French capital with terrorist attacks in rapid succession, starting in the vicinity of the stadium, which later culminated in the massacre at the Bataclan.
The Stade France lawn was invaded by fans scared of the terrorists in Paris / Photo: Daniel Scorpie (GSp.ro)
One of the friendly protagonists from ten years ago recalled the nightmare he lived in Paris. “I'll never forget that night. For a long time, I didn't understand what was really going on. No one knew for sure.
When I finally got on the plane the next morning, it was a moment of great relief. Obviously, we were all scared that night. It was a huge shock, and football no longer mattered at all!
It's unbelievable to think what happened. I will never forget that the French national team stayed with us in the stadium out of solidarity, even though they were not required to. It was a gesture of extreme solidarity from the whole team”, said Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid's defender, for the Lapresse agency.
130 people lost their lives in Paris during the attacks, in addition to the seven terrorists, and 413 were injured
130 people lost their lives during the attacks, in addition to the seven terrorists, and 413 were injured. Most of the victims were recorded inside the Bataclan theater, where a concert by the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal was taking place.
This is what Place de Republique looked like after the bloody attacks that hit Paris on November 13, 2015 / Photo: Imago
The first explosion occurred in front of the Events restaurant, a few steps from the Stade de France. One person died there, besides the attacker. A second explosion near the arena, at a McDonald's restaurant, injured 11 people half an hour after the first.
Both explosions were heard inside the stadium, but the match continued as normal for security reasons. The spectators could not find out, because the mobile signal was cut. And the two teams were not made aware of what was happening in order not to cause panic in the stadium. Only after the final whistle, the players were informed about the unprecedented attacks in the history of the French capital.
