Reports have emerged of internal tension within the dressing room of Real Madrid following allegations involving German defender Antonio Rüdiger and teammate Álvaro Carreras.Rüdiger is alleged to have slapped Carreras after the club’s 1–1 draw against Real Betis.
The incident is said to have taken place in the dressing room after the match. It is further reported that a heated verbal exchange between the two players escalated during post-match discussions. Sources also suggest that disagreements between Rüdiger and Carreras had occurred on several occasions in the two weeks leading up to the incident.
Rüdiger, aged 33, has previously attracted attention for his on-field disciplinary record. During the current season, he faced allegations of deliberately striking Getafe defender Diego Rico with his knee to the head. He also received criticism for comments directed at Bayern Munich defender Josip Stanišić.
Following the reported dressing-room incident, it has been stated in media coverage that Rüdiger issued an apology. He is also reported to have invited teammates and their families to a lunch gathering on the following Friday in an attempt to ease tensions within the squad.
Since the incident, Carreras has not been included in the starting line-up for subsequent matches. He was replaced by Ferland Mendy in fixtures against Real Betis and Espanyol. When Mendy suffered an injury, coach Álvaro Arbeloa introduced Fran García. It has been reported that Carreras reacted on the bench during these matches, although the club has not issued any official statement regarding his conduct.
Rüdiger, meanwhile, completed the full 90 minutes in both matches following the reported incident.
His contract situation is also under consideration, with his current deal set to expire in the summer. However, it has been reported that Real Madrid are evaluating the possibility of extending his stay for a further year.
Reported sequence of events
| Period | Reported development |
|---|---|
| Match day | 1–1 draw against Real Betis |
| Post-match | Alleged dressing-room altercation between Rüdiger and Carreras |
| Previous two weeks | Reported repeated disagreements between the two players |
| Subsequent matches | Carreras omitted from starting line-up |
| Following Friday | Rüdiger reported to have hosted lunch with teammates and families |
The situation has drawn attention to internal dynamics within Real Madrid, particularly regarding player relations and squad discipline following recent match events.