Real Madrid confirmed on Tuesday that Antonio Rudiger has undergone successful surgery on a partial tear to the external meniscus in his left knee.
The operation, performed by Dr Manuel Leyes and overseen by the club’s medical team, took place on Monday, with the German defender now beginning his rehabilitation process.
Rudiger is expected to be out of action for nearly two months, dealing a blow to Madrid’s defensive ranks at a critical stage of the season.
The timing comes just two days after the 32-year-old was dismissed in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, where he received a straight red card in the closing minutes of Los Blancos’ 3-2 defeat for throwing an object onto the pitch.
The club have not specified a detailed recovery timeline, but recovery from a partial meniscectomy often allows a return to full training within four to six weeks, depending on the player’s response to rehabilitation. In his case, Madrid are likely to proceed with caution given his importance to the side.
Since joining from Chelsea in 2022, Rudiger has become a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s back line. His absence will leave a noticeable gap in Madrid’s defensive setup during a crucial run of fixtures.