A tense moment on the training pitch could soon spell the end of a Real Madrid career.
Reports in Spain and Germany suggest that Antonio Rüdiger, the German centre-back once involved in a heated altercation with Jude Bellingham, may be axed at the end of the 2025–26 season.
Just weeks after the close of one of Europe’s busiest summer transfer windows, manager Xabi Alonso is already reshaping his squad for the future — and Rüdiger might not be part of it.
Alonso Plans Defensive Overhaul
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté as their top defensive target for next summer.
Konaté would join a defensive unit that has recently been reinforced by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras, all of whom arrived in the most recent window.
However, Madrid’s transfer strategy also means some high-profile departures are expected.
According to reports from Bild, Rüdiger’s contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old has been a regular presence for Los Blancos since arriving from Chelsea in 2022, making over 150 appearances in all competitions.
Yet, Alonso is believed to have grown dissatisfied with the veteran defender’s recent performances — and with his £12 million annual salary, club officials see little justification for an extension.
The Bellingham Training Clash
The whispers about Rüdiger’s future have reignited memories of his training ground clash with Bellingham last season.
Ahead of Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal, the two reportedly exchanged heated words after a hard tackle by Rüdiger during training.
Witnesses described the incident as “intense but short-lived,” though it reportedly left a mark in the dressing room.
When asked about it at the time, Bellingham downplayed the spat, saying: “It’s football — emotions run high. You talk to teammates louder than you’d ever talk to your parents. For every negative interaction, there are twenty positive ones.”
Still, tensions between fiery personalities often linger, and Alonso’s preference for a more composed defensive structure could hasten Rüdiger’s departure.
What This Means for Real Madrid
Letting go of Rüdiger would mark another significant shift in Real Madrid’s evolution under Xabi Alonso.
The club is clearly building toward a new defensive era — one defined by youth, versatility, and athleticism.
If Konaté arrives, he’ll join Éder Militão and David Alaba in what could become one of the most dynamic defensive trios in Europe.
As for Rüdiger, his time in the Spanish capital may soon draw to a close — not because of a single training ground scuffle, but because Madrid are once again doing what they’ve always done best: planning the next generation before the current one fades away.
