'Pain became unbearable': Rudiger opens up after meniscus surgery

The Real Madrid defender confirmed the procedure was unavoidable, marking a turning point in a long and physically taxing period of his career.

"After I had played for more than seven months with severe pain, it was unfortunately unavoidable that I had to undergo a meniscus surgery," the German international said in a message shared from his hospital bed, where he appeared smiling alongside medical staff holding his No.22 shirt.

Now pain-free, Rudiger is taking a week-by-week approach to recovery, with one eye on returning in time for two major competitions on the horizon—the UEFA Nations League and the FIFA Club World Cup, both set for later this year.

Orthopaedic experts typically estimate a recovery window of three to six months following meniscus surgery, meaning the centre-back's cautious optimism is well-founded.