REAL MADRID star Antonio Rudiger may miss the rest of the season due to injury.
Rudiger, 32, has played an essential part for Real ever since his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2022 from Chelsea.
However, the centre-back had been dealing with “severe” knee pain the last seven months and underwent surgery.
Real stated earlier today: “Rudiger has been successfully operated on today for a partial rupture in the external meniscus of his left leg.”
The operation went well but the reigning Spanish and European champions may be without the Germany international for the rest of LaLiga’s schedule.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Rudiger will be sidelined for “almost two months”.
The ex-Chelsea star, though, was in high spirits after surgery as he posted a picture of himself on social media from his hospital bed with a big smile while giving the camera the thumbs up.
The defender also suggested he will be back for the summer’s Club World Cup.
Rudiger posted on Instagram: “After I have played more than seven month [sic] 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 and especially @guidospiran.
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“I want to be able to play again as soon as possible as two big tournaments with the Nations League and the Club World Cup are in front of me, but I have to look from week to week now and we will see.
“I will do everything I can to make it happen. See you soon and take care of yourselves.”
Nevertheless, Rudiger still faces a lengthy layoff regardless of how well his rehabilitation goes.
That is because of his antics during Saturday’s Copa del Rey final that saw Real losing 3-2 to rivals Barcelona.
A raging Rudiger launched an ice pack at referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea with just 20 seconds of extra-time remaining after Kylian Mbappe was judged to have fouled Eric Garcia in Madrid’s last attack.
When the official came over to the bench to dish out red cards the German had to be held back from confronting the ref by Ferland Mendy and a member of staff.
Rudiger’s public apology
The ex-Roma star and Lucas Vazquez, both of whom were substituted earlier in the match, were sent off after the latter angrily sprinted onto the pitch.
Some reports suggested Rudiger told the ref, “You’re a miscarriage’ and called him a “son of a wh***”.
The centre-half issued a public apology after those shocking scenes, which also saw Jude Bellingham getting sent off after the final whistle for “approaching the referee aggressively” and needing “to be restrained by team-mates”.
Nevertheless, the former Stuttgart star still faces a mammoth 12-match ban for his behaviour in the Spanish Cup final, which was criticised by Germany sporting director Rudi Voller.
Rudiger posted on Sunday: “There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I’m very sorry for that.
“We played a very good game from the 2nd half on – After 111 minutes I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake.
“Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed last night.”
