Real Madrid veteran ‘closer than ever’ to renewing his contract | OneFootball

Despite Real Madrid looking to make the transition to the next generation in defence, Antonio Rudiger has continually given the manager no reason to drop him and has come in the way of the club’s long-term goal.

The German star, after all, has always been one to place the club over his personal interests since he joined Real Madrid, and played through knee pain for months to ensure the club had him available during a critical phase of the previous season.

“I put my own health aside and wanted to be 100% for Real Madrid because there’s nothing I hate more than letting my teammates down,” he confessed in a recent interview.

A renewal is close

In recent days, it came to light that Real Madrid and Antonio Rudiger were in talks to extend the player’s contract by one season with a reduction in wages.

Now, Diario AS confirm that Rudiger is closer than ever to renewing his deal with Los Blancos, putting an end to all the speculation regarding his future.

Rudiger will renew his contract. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

His current deal is set to run out in June, but the club highly value his dedication and the consistency he has brought in defence for them this season, and will thus reward him with an added year on his deal. 

Moreover, Rudiger’s physical condition has also taken a steep turn towards improvement since late January and he is now able to take on back-to-back games in a hectic schedule for the club.

In fact, he has already started six of the team’s last seven games and eight of their last ten.

Heading into the business end of the season, Rudiger seems set to be a regular starter for Alvaro Arbeloa, likely alongside Eder Militao.

As the quality of opposition increases deeper into events like the UEFA Champions League, his experience will be key for Los Blancos. Tonight’s game against Bayern Munich will be the first such test for Rudiger.