Just days after a dramatic Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona, Antonio Rudiger back has undergone knee surgery that will sideline him for up to two months, ruling him out of the rest of the LaLiga season.
The injury also casts major doubt on his participation in this summer’s Club World Cup and UEFA Nations League, but Rüdiger isn’t giving up without a fight.
Surgery After Seven Months of Pain
Real Madrid confirmed Tuesday that Rüdiger underwent a successful operation to treat a partial tear in the external meniscus of his left knee.
According to sources within the club, Rüdiger had been playing through “severe pain” for more than half the season — a condition he admitted to in his emotional post.
“After I have played more than seven months with severe pain, it was unfortunately unavoidable that I had to undergo a meniscus surgery,” he revealed.
“I want to be able to play again as soon as possible.”
From Bandaged Warrior to Red Card Rage
Rudiger’s last appearance came in the fiery Copa del Rey final on Saturday — a match that ended in disaster for both the player and the team.
Despite playing with a heavily bandaged knee, he stayed on the pitch deep into extra time. After Barcelona’s Jules Koundé scored the match-winning goal, tempers boiled over.
In the 120th minute, Rüdiger was sent off for throwing an object from the technical area and attempting to confront the referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea.
“[Rüdiger] had to be restrained by various members of the coaching staff,” the referee wrote in his match report, citing the defender’s “aggressive attitude.”
The German international later took to social media to apologise for the outburst.
“There’s no excuse for my behaviour. It was a moment of frustration and I take full responsibility.”
The Spanish FA’s disciplinary committee is expected to announce a suspension in the coming days, but the defender’s injury now ensures he’ll miss the rest of the domestic season — with or without a ban.
Madrid’s Defensive Crisis Deepens
Carlo Ancelotti’s defensive options have been decimated. Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal are long-term absentees with ACL injuries.
Ferland Mendy lasted just eight minutes in his Copa del Rey return before limping off again.
Eduardo Camavinga, often used as a left-back, is also out for the season with a groin injury.
With just five LaLiga games remaining, Madrid trails Barcelona by four points in a tight title race.
They host Celta Vigo this weekend before a decisive Clásico rematch next week.
A Race Against Time
Rüdiger’s recovery timeline threatens his involvement in the Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 18 in Miami, with Real Madrid facing Al Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg in the group stage.
He’s also eager to rejoin Germany for the UEFA Nations League later this summer.
Madrid, however, is focused on ensuring the defender is fully fit for next season’s preseason campaign and will not rush his return.
Real Madrid now faces the remainder of the campaign with a patched-up defence and mounting pressure, with the title, Club World Cup, and national team glory hanging in the balance.
