Antonio Rudiger
March 2026
Antonio Rudiger said he finally feels physically free again after months of pain and treatment, giving Real Madrid a major lift for the run-in. His return has coincided with a strong spell for the club as fresh questions continue around his contract situation. Rudiger explained that he previously trained and played through painkillers before realising he had to stop and protect his body, especially with the World Cup approaching. He also defended his aggressive style, saying top-level defending requires mentality, physical dominance and targeted preparation against specific opponents.