Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has criticised defender Antonio Rudiger following Los Blancos’ Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal.
The Spanish giants were knocked out after a 5-1 aggregate defeat, with the German centre-back once again drawing attention for his aggressive conduct on the pitch.
Rudiger, who has Sierra Leonean roots, was involved in two controversial incidents during the match.
He appeared to forcefully throw Arsenal defender Jurriën Timber to the ground during a corner kick, and later, in a separate moment, was seen stepping on the stomach of a grounded Myles Lewis-Skelly—raising serious questions about intent.
Analysing the footage on Ziggo Sport, Dutch pundit and former midfielder Theo Janssen remarked, “With Rüdiger, we all think that when he stands on him, it is a deliberate action… I think he can jump over him.”
Van der Vaart, a former Bundesliga rival of Rudiger during the latter’s time at Stuttgart, did not hold back.
“He played for Stuttgart when I played in Germany. He hit me in the stomach and got a red card,” Van der Vaart recalled.
“Yeah, you know, he’s a bit of an idiot…!”
The former Dutch international added that while Rudiger’s aggressive style is often praised in victory, it becomes a liability in defeat.
“As long as you win, it’s all fun and games, but when you lose, it looks completely different.”
Janssen further referenced Rudiger’s successful duels against Erling Haaland during past ties with Manchester City.
“He kept hanging on him, jumping and committing fouls. With that, he completely played Haaland out of the game for two matches. He also has something.”
Madrid’s elimination has intensified scrutiny on several players, with Rudiger’s conduct once again a major talking point.
