After Schlotterbeck’s ligament tear: is that Real over? | OneFootball

For the second year in a row, Real Madrid missed out on the Spanish league title. Unacceptable for Los Blancos, especially since the trophy went to arch-rivals FC Barcelona of all teams. Real president Florentino Pérez (79) is relying on personnel changes.

The most obvious fresh start is on the bench. José Mourinho (63) is back after 13 years. Under him, the capital club won the Spanish Cup in 2011 and the league title the following year.

Mourinho has already brought a high-profile trio to Madrid. Left-back Marc Cucurella (27) left Chelsea FC for 55 million euros. Center-back Ibrahima Konaté (27/Liverpool) and Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva (31), meanwhile, arrived on free transfers.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s name also came up regularly in connection with Los Blancos. The 26-year-old Borussia Dortmund center-back has a special release clause in the contract he extended in the spring, valid for only three clubs: FC Barcelona, Liverpool FC — and Real Madrid.

Rüdiger instead of Schlotterbeck

But in Germany’s World Cup match against Ivory Coast (2:1), injury struck mercilessly. In the 13th minute, Schlotterbeck twisted his ankle in a challenge with Ivorian Amad Diallo (23). It was a bitter case of déjà vu for the defender, who had already been sidelined for months in 2025 after a torn meniscus. On Monday (June 22), the DFB announced the diagnosis: torn ankle ligaments. That means not only is the World Cup over for him, but possibly also a move to Madrid.

Photo: IMAGO

According to fichajes.net, a transfer from BVB to Real now appears almost out of the question. Schlotterbeck’s injury is said to have changed the situation “fundamentally.” The Spanish record champions are now forced “to look for alternatives.” All transfer negotiations are to be put on hold for months for the time being. Borussia’s defensive leader will only become a topic again once he has proven “that he is back to his old self.” Before that, Madrid will not take any risks and will refrain from making a move.

Fittingly, Los Merengues recently extended Antonio Rüdiger’s contract of all people. The 33-year-old center-back, previously considered certain to leave, will now remain with Los Blancos after all — and is replacing Schlotterbeck at the World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.