Real Madrid’s return to action has been hit by a major injury setback ahead of the weekend trip to Real Sociedad.
Xabi Alonso has won three from three in the opening month of the La Liga campaign with his options already restricted by long term injures for Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy and Endrick Felipe.
However, as per the latest from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, veteran centre back Antonio Rudiger is now facing around three months on the sidelines.
🚨⚠️ Toni Rüdiger has been diagnosed with an injury to the anterior rectus of his left leg and will be out for around three months.
Rüdiger will try to be back by December, based on recovery evolution. pic.twitter.com/4FuyJIjPkk
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 12, 2025
Romano and multiple other outlets – including Marca – are reporting Rudiger flagged up an issue in training and Alonso opted to omit him from the travelling party to San Sebastian.
The situation has evolved quickly with the club now confirming a rectus femoris muscle injury in his left leg which will keep him out until at least mid-December.
With the La Liga winter break scheduled for the end of December, Rudiger may not be risked, and left to recover fully for the start of 2026.
His absence is another blow for Alonso, who has only just recovered Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, following long roads back from ACL injuries.
Militao is set to remain as Dean Hujsen’s centre back partner, but the lack of cover is a concern, with uncertainty on what happens next with David Alaba, who is also on the comeback trail.
Alonso has also floated the idea of playing with a back three in defence which would allow Carvajal to step in and move Trent Alexander-Arnold forward.
Rudiger completed 82 minutes in Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier win over Northern Ireland and he will miss their four remaining games of the calendar year in October and November.
For Real Madrid, he is on course to miss the first six games of the first phase in the UEFA Champions League until the end of December and potentially 14 La Liga games.
