Huge injury blow for Real Madrid! Antonio Rudiger undergoes surgery as Los Blancos suffer damaging setback in bid to overhaul Barcelona at top of La Liga

The German international has been a cornerstone of Carlo Ancelotti’s lineup this season, making 49 appearances across all competitions despite ongoing issues with his knee. The club confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday that Rüdiger has gone under the knife to address a meniscus problem that has troubled him for much of the campaign.

According to The Athletic,Rüdiger is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks. That timeframe would see him miss the remainder of the La Liga season, with Madrid currently battling Barcelona in a tight title race. There is, however, a possibility that he could return in time for the revamped FIFA Club World Cup this summer, with Real Madrid scheduled to begin their tournament on June 18 against Al Hilal.

However, ESPN has reported that Rüdiger could be out for as long as two months. That extended absence would not only rule him out of the remaining domestic fixtures but also raise serious doubts about his fitness for the Club World Cup in June. Real Madrid, according to sources, are adopting a cautious approach. Their medical team is focused on ensuring Rüdiger is fully recovered before pre-season, choosing not to rush his return and potentially worsen the injury.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Rüdiger remains determined to get back on the pitch for two significant summer tournaments — the Club World Cup and the Nations League with Germany.

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, the 32-year-old revealed: "After I have played more than seven month with severe pain, it was unfortunately unavoidable that I had to undergo a meniscus surgery. Now I'm finally pain-free again, and the surgery was a success ... I want to be able to play again as soon as possible as two big tournaments with the Nations League and the Club World Cup are in front of me, but I have to look from week to week now and we will see. I will do everything I can to make it happen."

Rüdiger’s injury news follows closely on the heels of his controversial red card during Real Madrid’s 3-2 Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona. The German was dismissed in the 120th minute after reportedly throwing an object, believed to be ice, from the technical area in protest of a referee decision. The Spanish football federation is expected to hand down a suspension ranging anywhere from four to twelve matches, though his injury renders any ban effectively symbolic for the rest of the season.

Rüdiger’s absence adds to Real Madrid’s growing defensive woes. Éder Militão and Dani Carvajal remain long-term absentees due to ACL injuries. Meanwhile, left-back Ferland Mendy’s return in the Copa del Rey final lasted only eight minutes before he had to be hooked off. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga — often used as a makeshift full-back — also picked up a serious groin injury against Getafe and is confirmed to be out for the rest of the season. The mounting injuries have left Carlo Ancelotti with limited options in his backline in the final lap of the campaign.