Reports have emerged of an alleged altercation within the Real Madrid dressing room involving German defender Antonio Rüdiger and teammate Álvaro Carreras, following a 1–1 draw against Real Betis. According to Spanish radio station Onda Cero, Rüdiger is said to have slapped Carreras during an incident that took place in the dressing room approximately two weeks after the match.
The report states that tensions between the two players had been building prior to the incident, with several previous verbal exchanges also recorded between them. The confrontation is said to have escalated following the draw with Real Betis, although no official club statement has been made regarding the matter.
Rüdiger, aged 33, has been the subject of scrutiny in recent months in relation to his on-field conduct. During the current season, he has faced allegations of using excessive physical force in a match against Getafe, where he was accused of deliberately striking defender Diego Rico with his knee to the head. He has also received criticism for comments directed at Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanišić.
Following the reported dressing room incident, The Athletic stated that Rüdiger later issued an apology to his teammates. He is also reported to have arranged a lunch for teammates and their families on the following Friday as part of efforts to address the situation.
In terms of team selection, Carreras has not been included in the starting eleven in recent fixtures following the incident. He was omitted from the starting line-ups in matches against Real Betis and Espanyol, with Ferland Mendy selected in his position. When Mendy sustained an injury, coach Álvaro Arbeloa brought Fran García into the team. During these matches, Carreras remained on the bench, with reports indicating he reacted with a dismissive expression while observing the situation.
Rüdiger, meanwhile, has continued to feature throughout both matches, completing the full 90 minutes in each game. His current contract situation has also attracted attention, with his deal at Real Madrid due to expire in the summer. However, reports suggest that the club is considering the option of extending his stay for a further year.
Summary of Key Reported Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Player involved | Antonio Rüdiger |
| Teammate involved | Álvaro Carreras |
| Alleged incident | Slap in dressing room |
| Reported source | Onda Cero (Spanish radio) |
| Match context | After 1–1 draw vs Real Betis |
| Timing | Approximately two weeks prior to report |
| Prior relations | Multiple earlier verbal exchanges reported |
| Post-incident action | Rüdiger apology and team lunch |
| Squad impact | Carreras omitted from starting XI vs Betis and Espanyol |
| Replacement players | Ferland Mendy, then Fran García |
| Rüdiger appearances | Full matches in both games |
| Contract status | Due to expire this summer; possible extension under consideration |
The situation has been reported as part of ongoing discussions surrounding squad dynamics at Real Madrid, particularly in relation to recent disciplinary and selection developments involving both players.