Real Madrid hero vs Atletico Madrid has been playing through pain for weeks | OneFootball

Antonio Rudiger has become one of the most respected figures in the Real Madrid dressing room since arriving at the club in 2022.

The German international’s teammates and the club coaching staff trust him completely, and he proved his importance once again by scoring the decisive penalty against Atletico Madrid, securing the team’s place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

Though his defensive performances in recent matches have not been at their best, his resilience and commitment remain unquestionable.

Playing through the pain

Now, according to journalist Jorge C Picon, Rudiger has been struggling with multiple physical issues for weeks, preventing him from playing at 100%. These are not minor discomforts but a series of persistent problems.

Rudiger has been playing through physical issues. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

Despite this, he works daily with the club’s physiotherapists to be ready for every match, refusing to let the team down at such a crucial stage of the season. His dedication and leadership have not gone unnoticed within the squad.

A muscle injury sidelined Rudiger for a couple of weeks, but he returned in time for the UCL knockout playoff second leg against Manchester City. He was then given brief rest against Girona, playing only five minutes.

Since then, his ongoing pain has affected his performances, yet he continues to push through. When he fell ill before the match against Rayo Vallecano, he used the time to improve his physical condition, but he still needs more time to regain full fitness.

The former Chelsea defender is one of Carlo Ancelotti’s most trusted men. As such, he is is determined to repay that trust, playing through pain and risking his physical condition to help Real Madrid in their pursuit of titles.