Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender reconsidering international retirement after managerial change
Despite starting the FIFA World Cup as a backup and rotational centre-back for Germany, Antonio Rudiger ended up having far more prominence than expected.
An unexpected injury to Nico Schlotterbeck saw him take over as a regular starter for his side, and he even played 110 minutes in Germany’s eventual defeat to Paraguay.
His country’s disappointing elimination early in the knockout stages, needless to say, was a difficult pill to swallow and Rudiger’s international future was left in a grey area.
It was even suggested that the player was considering retiring.
An uncertain situation
As reported by SPORT BILD via GOAL, Rudiger told his teammates immediately after the Paraguay defeat that he was going to retire from international football.
At 33 years of age, he has after all given his everything for the national team and will be 37 by the time the next World Cup arrives.
The managerial change at the German national team, however, appears to have changed his decision.
With Jurgen Klopp being appointed head coach, the player is said to have now left the door open to continuing.
Back in training
While the World Cup may not have turned out how he would have intended, Rudiger has now put that past him and is already back in the Spanish capital to prepare for the new season.
With Jose Mourinho arriving as the new coach, Rudiger is excited for the season that lies ahead and has already spoken highly of the Portuguese tactician.
He will, however, have a massive task in ensuring he stays important in the dynamics given how Mourinho has been making defensive signings.
Ibrahima Konate has already arrived as a direct competitor, and Real Madrid are pushing to make one more central defensive signing. Rudiger’s performances in pre-season, needless to say, will be critical in deciding his role in the coming campaign.
Surprisingly, the player will now work with two new managers at the club and country level, and it is surprising that both Real Madrid and Germany have made a coaching shift in the same window. Despite his age, the player will back himself to come good as a starter in both teams.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
