Antonio Rudiger back to his best as Real Madrid see full fitness return

Real Madrid is confident that Antonio Rudiger has regained top physical condition this season after dealing with a prolonged period of knee discomfort that required careful monitoring.

The German centre-back struggled earlier in the 2025/26 campaign with fluid building up in his knee after matches, leaving him in significant pain and forcing the club to closely monitor his minutes.

Around six weeks ago, Rudiger and the Real Madrid medical staff agreed that he should see specialist doctors to properly address the issue. That targeted treatment has now eliminated the pain, allowing him to train and play freely without the post-match problems that had been holding him back.

Inside the club, there is a renewed sense of confidence that Rudiger is physically ready to perform at his highest level during the decisive stretch of the season.

Rudiger has already featured 16 times for Real Madrid in 2025/26 and produced one of his standout displays in the 3–0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu. With his knee issues resolved, the 32-year-old is expected to remain a central piece of Madrid’s defence as they push for more trophies in La Liga and Europe.
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