Real Madrid star involved in 'training ground bust up' with Jude Bellingham 'to be released at the end of the season' after falling out of favour under Xabi Alonso

2 hours ago 11

By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 09:29 BST, 17 October 2025 | Updated: 09:29 BST, 17 October 2025

Real Madrid are set to release Antonio Rudiger at the end of the 2025-26 season, according to reports.

Rudiger, 32, joined the Spanish giants on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2022 and he has enjoyed three hugely impressive seasons at the Bernabeu.

The German centre back has been an integral figure for Real, playing 157 times for the club and winning eight trophies, although he has fallen out of favour under Xabi Alonso this season.

And, according to German outlet BILD, Rudiger's contract, which is up at the end of the season, won't be extended.

The report adds that Alonso is not convinced by Rudiger's consistency and fitness record amid several niggling injuries in recent seasons. 

The 32-year-old is currently sidelined due to a thigh problem he picked up at the start of September and he is not expected to return until November.

Real Madrid are reportedly set to release defender Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season

Rudiger has been a key man at Real over the past three years but he has fallen out of favour

Eder Militao and Dean Huijsen have established themselves as Real's preferred centre back pairing in his absence and the pair have generally impressed. 

Rudiger is also believed to be one of Madrid's highest earners and given he is viewed as a backup by Alonso, his salary of more than €10million-per-season is seen as prohibitive.

Meanwhile, reports of his potential exit come just months after the German was involved in a training ground bust-up with Real team-mate Jude Bellingham.

It came amid a difficult period of the campaign, where Real ultimately came second in LaLiga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reported at the time how tensions boiled over in training, with Bellingham and Rudiger having to be separated by team-mates. 

It was said that former Chelsea defender Rudiger put a bad tackle in on Bellingham during a small-sided game and received an insult back from the England star.

News of his potential exit comes just months after he clashed with Jude Bellingham in training

Team-mates had to interfere, although the matter was later resolved.   

Alongside Real and Chelsea, Rudiger has also played for Stuttgart in his native Germany and Roma, while he has won 81 international caps.

Los Blancos currently sit top of LaLiga after seven wins in eight games, and they have also won their first two games in the Champions League. 

They return to action against Getafe on Sunday before hosting Juventus in Europe on Wednesday.  

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