Real Madrid veteran impresses Florentino Perez with his commitment ahead of crunch contract talks | OneFootball

As Real Madrid prepare take on Barcelona tonight in the Spanish Super Cup final, the fitness of Antonio Rudiger has become a key talking point.

From being labelled as unfit to start, Rudiger has reportedly made himself available for this crunch game, virtually recovering in no time.

While the medical staff has played a crucial role, the German defender’s sheer willpower has been the driving force behind his potential return.

Rudiger is no stranger to playing through pain, having done so for months last season to avoid letting the team down. At Real Madrid, this level of sacrifice is not taken for granted.

Rudiger impresses Florentino Perez

As reported by Defensa Central, Rudiger’s commitment by putting in extra hours with physios and pushing his body to the limit when it would be easier to sit out, is a gesture that has not gone unnoticed at Real Madrid.

Antonio Rudiger will be available for Real Madrid tonight. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

In fact, these are the specific sequences that have touched Florentino Perez’s heart. This display of loyalty could serve as a decisive boost when the club assesses his contract renewal at the end of the season.

However, Rudiger’s continuity is not guaranteed. He turns 33 in March, and the coming months will be pivotal.

He currently has attractive offers from Saudi Arabia and Qatar on the table, which would offer him one last massive contract.

If he does choose to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, the landscape will look different. Real Madrid plans to sign a new center-back next summer to strengthen the defence.

Consequently, any renewal offer for Rudiger would likely involve a reduced salary and a shift in his role within the squad, as the club aims to manage his minutes more carefully.

For now, Rudiger’s mind is solely on lifting the trophy tonight. Whether on the pitch or from the sidelines, his priority is to beat Barcelona.