This season, almost the entire starting lineup of Real Madrid has been struck down one by one by a wave of injuries. Yet, there is one player who has stood firm and given his all in every match: Antonio Rüdiger, the indomitable warrior and guardian angel of coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Perhaps only Ancelotti truly understands how much he owes Rüdiger for the German defender’s tireless efforts in every game. Despite being plagued by knee issues due to arthritis, the 31-year-old continues to fight with incredible resilience. In the absence of David Alaba and with Éder Militão also injured, Rüdiger has emerged as the leader of Real Madrid’s defense.
Rüdiger is the most utilized Real Madrid player this season, having played 1,987 minutes. The 31-year-old has featured in all 23 matches for Los Blancos so far, and apart from a late substitution appearance against Espanyol, he has played the full 90 minutes in 22 games. Including three matches for the German national team, the former Chelsea player has appeared in 26 matches and clocked 2,257 minutes this season.
That number could have been even higher if he had not been excused from international duty during the September FIFA Days and if the Valencia-Real Madrid match had not been postponed due to Hurricane DANA. Regardless, Ancelotti knows he can always count on his player. Rüdiger is not only the most reliable center-back but has also become a true leader—the only one brave enough to stay on the pitch to apologize to fans after the 1-3 loss to AC Milan in the Champions League.
A message of gratitude from Ancelotti to Rüdiger on Instagram after Real Madrid’s victory over Atalanta in the Champions League.
Ancelotti recognizes Rüdiger’s sacrifices and has expressed his gratitude in a special way. Following the 3-2 win over Atalanta, he posted a photo on Instagram embracing the German defender, accompanied by the message: “Fantastic effort, fantastic match!” For Carletto, even though the BMV trio (Bellingham, Mbappé, Vinícius) shone brightly, Rüdiger was the true hero.
The fighting spirit and selflessness for the team are integral to Real Madrid’s DNA. It’s what has made Los Blancos so extraordinary in the Champions League. This spirit was once epitomized by legends like Iker Casillas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and Karim Benzema. And now, it is being carried forward by the relentless efforts of the indomitable warrior, Rüdiger.
