Real Madrid’s Rudiger has knee surgery

Antonio Rudiger, a Real Madrid defender, has knee surgery and will need to watch for a while.

As Real lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona in extra time on Saturday, Rudiger was forced to leave in extra time. He later learned that his left knee had a partial tear to the external meniscus.

Real did not specify a recovery date, but Spanish media reports suggest that he might be out for six to eight weeks, which would make him unfit for the Club World Cup, which will begin on June 15.

After being redone for throwing an allegedly ice cube at the referee during the Barcelona defeat, the 32-year-old German international is already facing a lengthy ban.

Rudiger could receive a suspension for between four and twelve matches under the disciplinary code of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which covers “mild violence” against referees.

Rudiger apologized for the incident, which took place after he was substituted, saying that there was “definitely no excuse” for his actions.

As both players furiously reacted to a foul that was committed against Kylian Mbappe just before the end, team-mate Lucas Vazquez, who had also been substituted, was also sent off.

Jude Bellingham, 21, a Real England midfielder, was also later dismissed for dissention.