FORMER Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger is set to sell a signed match-worn Real Madrid shirt to help save endangered pygmy hippos.
The German, 31, is already the honorary sponsor of Berlin Zoo's pygmy hippo, Toni.
Antonio Rudiger has teamed up with Berlin Zoo to protect pygmy hippos
But now the centre-back has partnered with the zoo for an auction which will take place on the online platform Catawiki.
Among the items on sale are hippo Toni's first mini football and a life-sized sculpture of the zoo's Indian rhinoceros, Betty.
But perhaps the most eye-catching collectable on offer has been donated by Real Madrid star Rudiger.
The two-time Champions League winner has signed the shirt he wore during Los Blancos' 4-0 win over Osasuna earlier this month.
All proceeds will go to the Pygmy Hippo Research Project in Sierra Leone's Gola Rainforest National Park - which attempts to protect pygmy hippos in their natural habitat.
As reported by Newsflash, Rudiger said: "The habitat of pygmy hippos in West Africa is under severe threat, and it would be truly heartbreaking if these unique animals were to disappear forever.
"Little Toni and I are proud to be ambassadors, working together to protect this endangered species and its habitat.
"The auction supporting the conservation project in Sierra Leone is a great opportunity to actively contribute and help ensure the survival of pygmy hippos and many other species.
"That's why I hope as many people as possible will join this initiative."
It is the latest in a long line of Rudiger's charitable endeavours.
The ex-Chelsea man, whose parents were born in Sierra Leone, flew back to the West African country in 2022 to unveil The Antonio Rudiger Foundation.
Also in 2022, the German donated the money he earned from playing in the World Cup to pay for 11 childrens' life-changing surgeries.
Rudiger spent five years at Chelsea where he played 203 games, winning the FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.
He joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2022 and has already won a LaLiga title, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, Club World Cup and two Uefa Super Cups.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Every season Arsenal must sign at least one Chelsea player Arsenal Striker now Raya.... Latin/South American Teams are UNBEATEN After the First Round of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup! Lamine Yamal is spending his S̶c̶h̶o̶o̶l̶ Holidays with 30-year-old Spanish influencer Fati Vazquez… Relegation Zone Club – Manchester United will face THREE o...
Dimitri Payet is accused of a catalogue of abuse against his mistress Larissa Ferrari, who claims the married ex-West Ham star subjected her to "physical, moral, psychological and sexual violence"Larissa Ferrari has accused former West Ham and France star Dimitri Payet of abuse during their affairFormer West Ham star Dimitri Payet is to go on trial over an alleged horrifying catalogue of abuse aga...
CHELSEA star Joao Felix has finally scored… by dating a stunning Colombian model.The Portugal international joined the Blues last summer from Atletico Madrid in a £42million deal.Joao Felix has started dating Valentina Rueda VelezFelix had been single since 2023 before striking up the new romanceThe Chelsea forward's mood will have been boosted after a tricky seasonFelix, 25, penned a c...
DAZN presenter Eleonora Incardona put on a leggy display in an eye-catching Club World Cup outfit.The Italian has been touring the States as part of DAZN's coverage of the tournament.Eleonora Incardona put on a leggy display in LAThe presenter often wows with her outfits on social mediaShe bumped into David Beckham in MiamiHer latest trip has seen her touch down in Seattle, Washington, having prev...
Jaw-dropping reporter Simona Leskovska turned heads as she appeared at the U21 Euros in a dress that left fans stunned and was joined pitchside by her Serie A-winning partnerStunning reporter Simona Leskovska turned heads at the U21 Euros in an eye-catching outfit.The 30-year-old brunette beauty is working as a reporter at the tournament in her native Slovakia and has captured the imagination of f...
Brazilian football icon Neymar has wowed fans on social media with his bold outfit choice that cost as much as a small family carNeymar flexed the outfit on InstagramFootball legend Neymar has been torn off a strip by fans after sharing pics of his bizarre pink party outfit online that cost as much as a family car.The Brazilian Santos star got togged up in the furry kit assembled from some of the ...
FOOTBALLER Kieran Trippier has confirmed his marriage is over for good.The Newcastle United player broke his silence on their split after The Sun revealed his new mystery woman.Kieran Trippier with his estranged wife CharlotteKieran was snapped with his arm around Chloe Ferry in IbizaKieran was spotted with his arm around ChloeKieran, 34, partied with Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, 29, at Ibiz...
The late Kim Woodburn famously had to be held back by security in the Celebrity Big Brother house after an explosive argument with Jamie O'Hara, which saw her call him an "adulterer"Kim Woodburn slammed Jamie O'Hara as an "adulterer"The late Kim Woodburn once blasted former Premier League star Jamie O’Hara in an explosive Celebrity Big Brother row that has gone down in reality TV history.Woo...
AN INFLUENCER linked with Lamine Yamal has revealed she has received sickening death threats.Fati Vazquez, 30, reportedly spent a weekend with the Barcelona star, sparking rumours of a romantic relationship.Fati Vazquez was seen on holiday seemingly in the same spot at the Barcelona starShe has almost 400,000 followers on InstagramPictures shared on Instagram by the pair, three days apart and veri...
DAZN presenter Eleonora Incardona stole the show at the Club World Cup.Incardona, 34, works as a touchline reporter for their coverage of Serie A.Eleonora Incardona stunned as she hosted the Club World CupThe Italian works as a touchline reporter for DaznShe also blew a kiss to her 1.2 million followersBut the TV star has joined the broadcaster for its coverage of the new-look tournament.And durin...
- 1 DONE DEAL: Marseille confirm CJ Egan-Riley signing from Burnley
- 2 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 3 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 4 Man Utd have Hugo Ekitike 'advantage'
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Stunning Euro U21 reporter dubbed 'queen of Europe' in bold dress
- 7 Man Utd make decision on replacing Andre Onana with Emi Martinez this summer
- 8 DONE DEAL: Celta Vigo sign permanently Ilaix from RB Leipzig
- 9 Real Madrid eye a trio of targets
- 10 Maddison and Wag announce they're expecting twins AGAIN