Real Madrid Defender Antonio Rudiger Out Three Months With Thigh Injury

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger is expected to be sidelined for approximately 10 to 12 weeks due to a rectus femoris muscle injury in his left leg, confirmed by the club's medical team. The injury, sustained after returning from international duty with Germany, will cause Rudiger to miss key LaLiga fixtures including the derby against Atletico Madrid and the Clasico against Barcelona, as well as several Champions League matches. This setback further strains Real Madrid's defensive depth, already relying heavily on Eder Militao and the young Dean Huijsen, with limited trust in Raul Asencio and the injury-prone David Alaba as backups. Manager Xabi Alonso may need to rotate his defenders more frequently and could look to promising players like Joan Martinez to step up during Rudiger's absence. The injury highlights Madrid's ongoing challenge with squad depth in defense and underscores the urgency of securing additional reinforcements like William Saliba to avoid future vulnerabilities. Despite Rudiger's limited playtime this season due to suspension and prior injuries, his absence is a significant blow to the team's defensive options.