Rudiger Faces Potential Suspension After Copa del Rey Red Card

Antonio Rudiger's season with Real Madrid has ended after he suffered a partial meniscus tear during the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, requiring surgery and a recovery period of four to six weeks. In the same match, Rudiger was shown a red card for throwing an object at the referee in frustration, sparking widespread criticism from former players and referees, including Lothar Matthaus and Thorsten Kinhofer, who called his behavior disgraceful and suggested the German national team consider disciplinary action. Rudiger has publicly apologized for his actions, but faces the possibility of a lengthy suspension, with some experts speculating a ban of up to 12 matches or even six months if deemed an assault on the referee. The incident has cast doubt on his participation in Germany's upcoming Nations League semi-final against Portugal, and the German national team is under pressure to respond to his conduct. Real Madrid is prioritizing Rudiger's full recovery and is not rushing his return, focusing on his long-term fitness for both club and country. The club's medical staff, led by Dr. Manuel Leyes, will oversee his rehabilitation, aiming to have him fit for future competitions like the Club World Cup.