Antonio Rudiger has alleviated months of speculation regarding his fitness by announcing an encouraging update for Real Madrid fans.
The German defender, who has faced persistent injury issues recently, has confirmed that he is now fully fit and prepared to compete at peak performance.
In a recent interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (as reported by AS), Rudiger discussed his current condition, expressing relief at overcoming a challenging phase.
“I can finally play full matches without any issues,” he stated.
Reflecting on His Journey
Delving deeper into his experience, Rudiger shared how physically demanding the past year has been.
He mentioned that enduring pain had become a part of his routine at one point.
“I feel great and I’m relieved that my medical treatments are behind me. Since August-September 2024, there has often been something wrong.”
“Now, I can once again play full matches without any problems. Last season, I could only participate in games and training by relying on painkillers.”
“Things worsened this January, and I realized I needed to take a break since the World Cup is approaching this summer. But I’m back at 100% now.”
Prioritizing Club Over Health
Rudiger has candidly discussed his injury challenges. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
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Looking back, it’s evident that he made significant sacrifices for the team.
After undergoing knee surgery at the conclusion of last season, Rudiger acknowledged that he placed the club’s needs above his health.
“I set aside my own health to ensure I was at 100% for Real Madrid because nothing frustrates me more than letting my teammates down.”
“Would I do it again? Possibly. However, after my surgery in 2025, I gained a better understanding of when to recognize the signs of an impending issue.”
Addressing Controversy
In addition to discussing his fitness, Rudiger tackled the criticism surrounding his aggressive playing style, particularly in light of an incident involving a clash with Getafe defender Diego Rico.
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This incident put Rudiger under scrutiny, but he asserts that an intense playing style is integral to who he is as a player.
“Being a tough defender is ingrained in my DNA. If you aim to excel in one-on-one situations at this level, you cannot afford to be overly nice.”
“You have to make the striker feel that it’s going to be a challenging day for them. If I didn’t play with that level of intensity and commitment, I wouldn’t be as effective.”
“That willingness to push boundaries is precisely what brought me to Real Madrid.”
“Without that mindset, I wouldn’t be here, wouldn’t have achieved two Champions League titles, and wouldn’t have represented my country so many times,” he concluded.