National team coach warns Real Madrid veteran over disciplinary issues – ‘Must not happen again'
Germany's national team gathered in Bavaria on Friday to begin preparations for the UEFA Nations League Final Four. One of the most notable absentees in the camp was Real Madrid veteran Antonio Rudiger.
A regular fixture in the Germany setup, the Real Madrid centre-back missed out as he is still recovering from knee surgery and is not ready to return.
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Prior to his injury and surgery, Rudiger was involved in a major controversy following due to his behaviour in the Copa del Rey final Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
With his team losing, the 32-year-old, who had been substituted due to the knee issue, lost his cool on the bench and insulted the referee while even throwing an object in his direction.
Rudiger was shown a red card for his actions and hit with a six-match ban while there were also calls from several quarters for him to be punished by the German FA as well.
Julian Nagelsmann issues stern warning
The DFB did not impose any sanctions on Rudiger but the German national team manager Julian Nagelsmann has issued a clear warning to the Real Madrid defender in today's press conference that his actions cannot be repeated.
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'Of course, we've had a lot of dialogue about the incident. He knows my opinion that it was wrong and not good. And he has also reached the limit, he knows that. Rudi said that too, I told him that too,' said Nagelsmann, as quoted by BILD.
Nagelsmann has warned Rudiger over his behaviour. (Photo by)
Continuing, he added: 'I think he said it twice, that it was wrong, that it was a mistake. And there's no question about that. And he also knows that it must not happen again.
'Otherwise there will simply be greater consequences. We are very transparent with him.'
In short: Rudiger cannot afford another misstep. However, Nagelsmann also emphasised:
'Nevertheless, it's also important to let people make mistakes. And if they apologise, then at some point it has to be put behind them.
'There are many moralisers, but at some point we have to accept the apology and give him the chance to do better. And he is now in the chance phase. And that's the end of it and we look forward to better behaviour in the future.'
Rudiger had already issued an apology for his behaviour and must now be careful not to repeat it.
Currently recovering from the knee surgery, he is expected to be available next month when Real Madrid travel to the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup.
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