Real Madrid face a defensive setback as Antonio Rudiger suffers a serious leg muscle injury.
The veteran centre-back could miss key La Liga and Champions League matches over coming months.
Real Madrid have been dealt an injury blow after veteran centre-back Antonio Rudiger sustained a muscle injury in his left leg that could sideline him for around two months.
The 32-year-old German international picked up the injury during training on Friday, with initial scans confirming damage to his rectus femoris muscle. While the club did not provide a specific recovery timeline, Spanish outlet AS described the injury as “serious.”
Rudiger has made just one La Liga appearance this season. Last term, he battled through fitness issues but still managed an impressive 55 appearances across competitions. His absence now leaves Real with a significant gap in their defensive setup.
The club bolstered its defence over the summer by signing Dean Huijsen, a 20-year-old Netherlands-born Spanish international from Bournemouth.
However, the injury crisis could accelerate Real’s long-term plans, with reports linking them to Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté as a possible target for the end of the season.
Rudiger’s absence comes at a critical point in the season. Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday before kicking off their Champions League campaign against Marseille on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu.
With Rudiger sidelined, coach Carlo Ancelotti may need to rely more heavily on younger defenders and reshuffle his back line as the team balances domestic and European commitments.
