Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger will miss Germany’s upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-final against Portugal, with the defender currently sidelined due to a knee injury.
The match is scheduled for June 4, and Rudiger’s absence presents a significant blow to Julian Nagelsmann’s defensive options ahead of the high-stakes clash.
Rudiger, who is of Sierra Leonean heritage through his mother, has undergone surgery to repair a partial tear in the external meniscus of his left knee.
The injury was sustained during Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona, and the recovery process is expected to take between six and eight weeks—effectively ruling him out of the national team’s immediate plans.
The 32-year-old’s focus is now on regaining full fitness in time for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to begin on June 14.
The road to his comeback has been further complicated by a disciplinary issue. Rudiger has been handed a six-match suspension for unsporting conduct after he threw an ice pack at the referee during the Copa del Rey final.
While the suspension applies to domestic competition, it underscores the challenges facing the experienced defender as he navigates both physical recovery and reputational repair.
Germany will feel Rudiger’s absence keenly, particularly given his leadership and experience at the back.
