It was a moment that went unnoticed by most, but not by those closest to him. Just before extra time began in the unforgettable Copa del Rey final in Seville, a piercing cry broke through the huddle around Carlo Ancelotti. Antonio Rüdiger, overwhelmed by pain, let out a heartbreaking scream that reached the skies over the Estadio de La Cartuja—yet was drowned out by the euphoria of one of the greatest finals in history.

The pain in his knee had finally become too much. After months of enduring, his body gave out. Unable to continue, Rüdiger was substituted during extra time.

For eight months, nearly the entire season, the German defender had been silently suffering—playing through pain, relying on painkillers before every single training session. He refused surgery to avoid weakening a defense already ravaged by injuries to Militão, Carvajal, and the long, difficult recovery of David Alaba.

Following the final—and the controversial incident with referee De Burgos Bengoetxea that earned him a six-match suspension—Rüdiger made a tough but necessary decision: to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a partial tear in his external meniscus. The goal? To be ready in time for the Club World Cup. The odds were slim, but the determination was unwavering.

Now, there's good news. After a successful surgery on April 29 by Dr. Manuel Leyes, and four weeks of intense rehabilitation, the signs are encouraging. Rüdiger is expected to join the squad traveling to the United States for the tournament, and there’s optimism he could even be available for Real Madrid’s second match, against Pachuca, on June 22—exactly seven weeks post-surgery.

“Toni is very confident he can contribute at the Club World Cup,” sources from the club confirm. That confidence comes after double daily gym sessions—painstaking work that’s paying off.

Initially, his recovery timeline was set at eight weeks minimum, but his progress may shorten that. After a few active rest days in Germany, Rüdiger is scheduled to return to Valdebebas on June 2. Under Xabi Alonso’s watch, he will resume light training on the pitch. The final stretch has begun.

Rüdiger is no longer in the shadows. He’s pushing toward the light—toward one more fight, one more title.

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