Germany urged to drop Antonio Rudiger after kneeing Getafe player

Calls are mounting in Germany for Antonio Rudiger to be omitted from this summer’s World Cup squad following a controversial incident in La Liga.

The Real Madrid defender’s clash with Diego Rico during Getafe’s 1-0 victory on Monday night has reignited debate about his suitability for Germany national football team.

Rudiger’s knee connected with the face of a grounded Rico in what many observers described as a reckless and avoidable challenge. The incident, which occurred during a shock defeat for Madrid, has drawn sharp criticism from both Spanish and German media.

In Germany, BILD published a pointed opinion by sports editor Hennin Feindt, who branded Rudiger’s conduct “unacceptable” and urged Julian Nagelsmann to leave the centre-back out of his World Cup squad.

Feindt argued that Germany’s defensive depth, with players like Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah, is more than sufficient to cover the backline without Rudiger.

The debate has been fueled further by Rico’s own reaction. Speaking to Deportes Cope, the Getafe fullback did not mince words: “It wasn’t accidental at all. No fellow professional goes in with such malice to a player who’s on the ground face up and knees him like that.”

Rudiger has long been a mainstay for both Real Madrid and the German national team, but the latest episode raises questions about his temperament at crucial moments. With the World Cup less than six months away, pressure is mounting on Nagelsmann to make a decision that balances experience with discipline.