Real Madrid defender could undergo surgery as persistent knee problem worsens | OneFootball

Antonio Rudiger has been one of the permanent fixtures in the starting lineup for Real Madrid in the ongoing season.

The 32-year-old German international is one of Carlo Ancelotti’s most relied-upon players and the third most-used member of the squad this season, although his performances, at times, have not been at his usual best.

Rudiger dealing with persistent knee pain

Now, according to journalist Jorge C Picon, Rudiger has been quietly dealing with persistent pain in his left knee for months.

The issue, centred around the meniscus, is growing more serious, and for the first time, surgery is not being ruled out.

So far, the veteran defender has played through the pain, driven by a strong sense of duty to the team in a decisive stretch of the season and his unusually high pain threshold.

Rudiger has been playing through chronic knee pain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

However, the discomfort has increased in recent matches due to a build-up of physical strain.

The demands on his joint have led to dips in his performance. In the second leg against Arsenal, there were clear signs that his physical condition was faltering. He appeared overpowered in several duels and was caught out of position.

Fully committed

Despite the pain and the risk, Rudiger has no intention of stepping back. With Real Madrid still chasing several goals, the Copa del Rey final vs Barcelona, narrowing a four-point gap in La Liga, and the Club World Cup, he remains fully committed.

The 32-year-old knows that the squad is stretched: Eder Militao remains unavailable, David Alaba is not yet himself after injury, Dani Carvajal is out, and Raul Asencio has only just broken into the first team.

The final decision on surgery will be postponed until the end of the campaign. For now, the defender continues daily work with physios and rehabilitation staff to stay fit for the final run-in.