Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear.
The 32-year-old has been a staple of Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season, featuring 49 times in all competitions despite suffering ongoing knee problems throughout the campaign.
A Madrid statement on Tuesday confirmed Rudiger had undergone surgery on the issue. Sources close to the club and player have indicated to The Athletic that Rudiger is expected to miss around six weeks, which would see him ruled out for the rest of the league season.
The expected recovery timeframe means that Rudiger could play a part in this summer’s revamped Club World Cup. Madrid get their tournament underway against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal on June 18.
The defender said in social media post that he had played for “seven months with severe pain” and he is aiming to return for Germany’s Nations League semi-final against Portugal on June 4.
After I have played more than seven month with severe pain, it was unfortunately unavoidable that I had to undergo a meniscus surgery. Now I’m finally pain-free again, and the surgery was a success. 🙌🏾 Thanks to the medical team. I want to be able to play again as soon as… pic.twitter.com/HhrFD3Io1u
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 29, 2025
Rudiger’s surgery adds to Madrid’s injury woes at the back, with right back Dani Carvajal and centre-back Eder Militao sidelined with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has also operated at left-back, is expected to miss the Club World Cup with an abductor tear.
Rudiger has made 151 appearances for Real Madrid since joining the club as a free agent in 2022, after his contract at Chelsea expired. He was part of the squad that won La Liga and the Champions League in 2024 and the Copa del Rey in 2023.
The Germany international is facing a possible ban after being sent off in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Sunday.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea said in his report that Rudiger received a red card for “throwing an object from the technical area which did not reach me.”
“After being shown the red card, he had to be held back by various members of the coaching staff, while he showed an aggressive attitude,” he added.
Rudiger, who apologised for the incident on social media, could be banned for four to 12 matches if he is deemed to have violated article 101 of the RFEF’s disciplinary code, which encompasses: “Mild violence toward the referees. Grabbing, pushing, or shaking, or generally using other attitudes toward the referees that, while only mildly violent, will result in a suspension of four to twelve matches.”
Madrid, second in La Liga, return to action on Sunday when they host Celta Vigo.
‘A big miss’ for Madrid
Rudiger has been irreplaceable for Carlo Ancelotti this season. Apart from academy defender Raul Asencio, the German has been the only centre-back in the first team squad who has been almost always available (except due to a muscular injury on February). According to Transfermarkt, only Federico Valverde has played more than his 4,101 minutes for the club across all competitions.
That means he will be a big miss for La Liga in the final stretch of the La Liga campaign — where they still hope to overhaul leaders Barcelona — although the club expect him to return for the new Club World Cup in the United States.
Rudiger has been virtually ever-present this season for Madrid (Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The surgery also seems conveniently timed given Rudiger’s sending off for his outburst at the end of the Copa del Rey final. He faces an expected ban of between four to 12 games in domestic competitions for throwing a missile at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Barca in that game.
The first-choice option to replace him in the meantime is David Alaba, the Austria defender who returned from 399 days out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January. But his recovery has not yet allowed him to be at 100 per cent, so midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni could also return to playing as a makeshift centre-back.
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)