Antonio Rüdiger, the German defender of Real Madrid, may finally get his first minutes in La Liga during the third matchday against Málaga. So far, Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho has favored Konaté and Huijsen in central defense alongside Courtois, Valverde, and Mbappé. On the eve of the match, Rüdiger is the only outfield player, aside from the seven injured players, who has yet to step onto the pitch in the league this season.
The Berliner, who had spoken of his dream to play in the World Cup alongside his father before Germany's early elimination, has been able to fully dedicate himself to Madrid's preparation after the early World Cup exit. Aware of the stakes, Mourinho has made central defense a priority, trusting Konaté and Huijsen for the first two matches. But with the need to field a starting eleven, Rüdiger positions himself as a prime option against Málaga. "Vamos a pensar en el Mundial y después me voy con mi padre," he had said during the World Cup, summarizing his attachment to the club and his mentor. Having joined Real Madrid in 2022, the 34-year-old veteran (he will turn 34 in March) has become a respected figure in the locker room. His role as a "soldier" and discreet leader makes him an asset for Mourinho, who considers him a "guarantee of life" for the team. After a 2025-2026 season marred by injuries (only 26 matches played), he ultimately extended his contract, notably for his influence within the squad.
A precious central defender despite the shadows
Rüdiger, accustomed to playing over 40 matches per season, had not experienced such a lack of playing time since 2014-2015 with Stuttgart (22 matches). Last season, his repeated absences weighed on Real Madrid, already weakened by Militao's injuries, Alaba's poor form, and Huijsen's underperformance. The arrival of Konaté helped stabilize the defense, but Rüdiger's return to his best level would be a boon for Mourinho. The Portuguese coach relies on reliable players to build his team. "Tener a Rüdiger sin jugar es una decisión de poco riesgo," he had justified, highlighting the defender's profile: an experienced player capable of guiding the youngsters and reassuring through his experience. His absence at the start of the season was not a coincidence but a strategy to preserve a key element. Today, the time has come to give him his first official minutes in La Liga. In a locker room where influential voices are not lacking, Rüdiger has established himself as one of the pillars. His experience and leadership are assets that Mourinho does not intend to overlook. After months of doubt about his ability to play consecutive matches, the German defender now has the opportunity to prove he remains an essential cog in Real Madrid's machine.
Mourinho and Rüdiger, an alchemy to confirm
Jose Mourinho, who has always known how to surround himself with experienced players, sees Rüdiger as a partner of choice. "Someone you can trust as if he were your son," he had confided, comparing their relationship to that of a father and his son. This mutual trust could be decisive in the coming weeks as Real Madrid seeks to string together strong performances in La Liga. For Rüdiger, the stakes are twofold: regaining his physical form and establishing himself as a key piece of the team. After a season without playing a single match, he has managed to convince Mourinho of his worth, to the point of keeping him in the squad despite initial doubts. His return to the pitch, even if late, could restore solidity to a Madrid defense in the midst of rebuilding. As the clash against Málaga approaches, all eyes will be on the German defender. His entry into the game could mark a turning point in Real Madrid’s season and give Mourinho a new card to play. One thing is certain: Rüdiger is no longer untouchable, but a soldier ready to fight.
Fréderic Manet · 30 août 2026 · 4 min de lecture
