Real Madrid has confirmed that Antonio Rüdiger picked up a muscle injury in his left thigh and didn’t make the trip for Saturday’s clash with Real Sociedad in La Liga’s fourth round. The club stayed quiet on a return date, but Spanish outlet As reports the defender could be out anywhere between 10 and 12 weeks. For Xabi Alonso and his squad, the news couldn’t come at a worse time, with the Champions League about to kick off and a demanding run of games ahead.
A costly absence
Rüdiger had just come back from international duty with Germany in good shape, having started against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. Then Friday’s training session changed everything. This is already the third time in 2025 he’s had to sit out a long spell. Back in February, it was a 15–day layoff with another muscle problem. By late April, a knee issue sidelined him for two full months. Now, right before the Champions League gets underway, Madrid suddenly loses its most dependable defender.
The frustration goes beyond the current injury. What really stings is how these physical setbacks keep piling up. Rüdiger has established himself as a leader and a cornerstone in defense, but he just can’t seem to string together an uninterrupted season. For a club that relies so much on balance and continuity, especially in knockout tournaments, this stop-and-start pattern can be as damaging as the injury itself.
The Champions League impact
Madrid’s group stage isn’t forgiving. They open against Olympique de Marseille, then face Manchester City at the Bernabéu, Liverpool at Anfield, Juventus at home, and Benfica away. Add Monaco, Olympiacos, and Kairat to the mix, and the schedule looks brutal.
For the fans, the setback hits hard. Rüdiger gives the back line confidence and personality, and without him every mistake feels bigger, every slip more dangerous. The alternatives aren’t reassuring either. Youngster Raúl Asencio hasn’t looked steady in recent matches, and Dean Huijsen, another youngster, will be asked to step up. Alonso can still call on David Alaba, but he’s been struggling with fitness issues of his own. In a competition where the smallest details often decide everything, this kind of defensive weakness could quickly turn into a serious problem.