Rüdiger’s foul in the Spanish league game between Real Madrid and Getafe FC was often shown and widely interpreted. Intention, as he sees it affected opponent Diego Ricoor not – the question of character is a sensitive topic for Rüdiger. The question has not arisen for the first time.

Rüdiger downplays the scene – and only makes it worse. Instead of showing remorse and humility, instead of sincerely apologizing, whether intentional or not, he talks his way out of it. This only makes things worse.

Antonio Rüdiger’s excuse for the foul is outrageous

“I like to play hard. But I have limits that I don’t cross,” he assures. To what extent he did not overstep these boundaries when he threw tape at a referee remains a mystery. The statement is almost ridiculously outrageous.

After the dropout in the summer of 2025, Nagelsmann clearly signaled to him that “the limit had been reached”. The national coach also said: “He also knows that this can’t happen again, otherwise it will have greater consequences. He knows that he doesn’t have a free pass and doesn’t have a second or third attempt to do something like that. The red line is defined. As a national team, we have a certain role model effect.”

There are two others in the DFB defense for the World Cup

Maybe that’s why Rüdiger is now trying to downplay the scene. The wrong way. An admission that the action was wrong, regardless of the intention, would rather show greatness and a certain maturity.

Rüdiger recently delivered athletically, even due to injury Hardly any arguments for a DFB nomination. In his absence, Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah have played a role in central defense. The 33-year-old has to prove that he can contribute to the team’s overall success as a backup.

But he seems to have misunderstood the seriousness of his personal situation. The World Cup is in danger for him.