Latest news with #Rudiger
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ibrahima Konate's coach backs Liverpool defender to join Real Madrid and take star's place
Ibrahima Konate has entered the final 12 months of his deal with Liverpool and there are fears that he could run down his contract before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has been backed to join Real Madrid and take Antonio Rudiger's place at centre-back. Konate, 26, is stalling on a new deal at Anfield after turning down Liverpool's first offer. The Frenchman was reportedly unhappy with the payment structure, with the contract heavily based meeting performance targets. Konate's representatives have been pushing for a higher basic wage and there are fears that he could choose to run down his current deal and leave on a free transfer in June 2026, having rejected a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer. His uncertain future has prompted speculation of a move to Madrid and Real are no strangers to signing players at the end of their contracts - especially from Liverpool. The Spanish giants convinced Trent Alexander-Arnold to reject a new deal with his boyhood club this year and have previously signed stars like David Alaba, Kylian Mbappe and Rudiger on free transfers. And it's Rudiger who'd better watch out if Konate joins that list, according to his former youth coach at French club Sochaux. Eric Hely believes that the 26-year-old is better than Rudiger and would slot into Xabi Alonso's side. "I'd say better than Rudiger, who is undoubtedly an athlete, but I think Ibrahima is technically stronger," Hely told Marca. "I'm sure he can succeed at Madrid and wherever he wants. "I think he'd fit in very well with Xabi. He can play in a three-man defence, as he did at [RB] Leipzig, and in a four-man defence. He's a kid who never caused any problems. "I remember when he came from Paris to stay at our residence. And he was always there to help and make life easier. The other kids followed him because of his charisma." Hely went on to say: "I would highlight his charisma and his simplicity, which make him a leader. He was very clear about that for a boy his age. He wanted to succeed and worked tirelessly, even on his own. "He'll listen and learn, and then he'll establish himself in the group with his personality. I don't see him as [Raphael] Varane. He's more of a [Marcel] Desailly type. He gives off a lot of confidence and has a very good footwork." Arne Slot would be reluctant to lose Konate, although the Reds have registered their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The England international is also out of contract next summer, potentially allowing Liverpool to employ the same tactic as Real by signing Guehi without paying a fee. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
PSG 4 Real Madrid 0: Chelsea set for mouthwatering Club World Cup final against red-hot European champion
ANTONIO RUDIGER blew the chance of a Chelsea reunion as Real Madrid were steamrollered out of the Club World Cup. The former Blues defender's embarrassing howler let in PSG hitman Ousmane Dembele to rifle home a goal after nine minutes. 8 And it was already one nil as the Spanish giants were torn to shreds in a first half blitz. Fabian Ruiz had scored three minutes earlier from another cock up at the back as the reigning European champions went for the jugular with an early onslaught that paid off. The Spanish midfielder made it 3-0 by half time with another clinical finish to fire PSG into Sunday's final against Chelsea. Rudiger, 32, was at Chelsea for five years and was part of their triumphant 2021 Champions League squad. But the German centre half and his fellow defenders were humiliated in the first 45 minutes with a series of mistakes that cost them dearly. Defeat means Madrid end the season without a trophy of any kind. They were also humbled 3-0 by Arsenal in the Champions League last season. New boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has much rebuilding work to do even though he has just signed full back Trent Alexander-Arnold to strengthen his squad. Former Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold was ruled out of this game with injury. 8 8 8 8 Victory is the 48th for runaway European kings PSG which is a record for them in one single season. And they could not have wished for a better start against their illustrious Spanish opposition when the first of several blunders gave them the early lead. A mistake by Raul Ascencio trying to tackle Dembele allowed Fabian to bury a shot from less than ten yards out. Rudiger then let the ball slip under his foot shortly after and Dembele raced clear to blast home number two past ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois. And Fabian made sure there was no way back for 15-times European champions Madrid when he ruthlessly finished off a square ball from ex-Galactico Hakimi. Desire Doue actually made it 4-0 early in the second half but the goal was ruled out with Dembele offside. Chelsea face their toughest task yet taking on PSG in Sunday's all-European final. After losing their first game at the Club World Cup, Luis Enrique's side have won every match and prior to kick off against Madrid had not conceded a goal. Madrid brought on veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, 39, for his farewell game before moving to AC Milan after 13 years in the Spanish capital. But things only got worse for Modric & Co Goncalo Ramos came off the bench to make it 4-0. 8 8 8
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football's Dark Side: Rudiger Faces Racism from Fellow Player
Football's Dark Side: Rudiger Faces Racism from Fellow Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger faced alleged racial abuse from Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral during a 3-1 Club World Cup win, a shocking betrayal from a fellow professional. The referee's crossed-arms signal, FIFA's anti-racism gesture, marked the incident's gravity. Why would a player stoop to such a low in such a high-profile event? Advertisement Racism from fans or online trolls is a persistent blight, but a peer's attack stings deeper. Professionals share the same grind, grueling training, high stakes, and global scrutiny. Cabral's alleged slur, denied as a cultural misunderstanding, defies the camaraderie expected among athletes according to The Athletic. Rudiger, no stranger to racism, has spoken out before. In 2021, he wrote, 'There is an investigation, but nothing really happens'. His frustration echoes a grim truth: player-on-player racism is rare but cuts through football's unwritten code of respect. Rudiger's reaction was one of shock and anger, he went straight to the referee who made the crossed-arms signal that indicates by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images Cabral claims he used an Argentine phrase, 'cagon de mierda,' meaning coward, not a racial insult says BBC Sport. Yet Rudiger's camp stands firm, rejecting this explanation. The clash, occurring in stoppage time, overshadows Real Madrid's victory and demands clarity. Rudiger's reaction was one of shock and anger. FIFA's investigation, triggered by referee Ramon Abatti's signal, remains inconclusive due to unclear evidence report Yahoo Sports. Their protocol, introduced in 2024, allows for suspensions of at least 10 matches for proven racism. Without decisive proof, justice risks stalling, leaving Rudiger's plea unheard. Advertisement Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's coach, backed Rudiger, saying, 'That's what Rudiger said, and we believe him. It's unacceptable' @FabrizioRomano posted on X. This support underscores the club's zero-tolerance stance. But why would Cabral, a seasoned pro, risk such a vile act? Maybe an on-field microphone could record evidence? The motive baffles. Is it competitive rage, personal vendetta, or a lapse in judgment? Players know the global stage amplifies their actions. Cabral's alleged words, even if misinterpreted, fracture the trust athletes build through shared sacrifice. Fans on X erupted, with @CGTNSportsScene posting, 'Real confirmed a complaint has been filed. #NoToRacism.' The outrage reflects a broader demand for accountability. Football's governing bodies must act swiftly to deter future incidents. The referee's crossed arms signal indicating RACISM was sad to see. Punishment must be severe. FIFA's code allows fines up to $5 million or competition bans for clubs in extreme cases according to A strong penalty would signal that player-on-player racism is intolerable, unlike the fleeting social media campaigns Rudiger critiques. Advertisement Rudiger's courage in reporting the incident, despite past disappointments, deserves action. Football thrives on unity, yet one player's alleged hatred threatens it. FIFA must deliver justice to protect the game's soul. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Courier-Mail
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
FIFA Club World Cup: Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger submitted racial abuse allegations against opponent
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. FIFA's disciplinary committee has begun proceedings against Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral related to alleged racial abuse against Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup group stage match. As part of a statement on Tuesday night, FIFA said, according to The Athletic, that it made the decision to open proceedings 'following an assessment of the match reports' from the officials. New York Post reported Cabral will be allowed to play in the Mexican side's Club World Cup matches while the investigation goes on, though Pachuca will play in one final tournament game on Thursday against Saudi side Al-Hilal. Watch every game of The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Rudiger notified referee Ramon Abatti during injury time of Real Madrid's 3-1 win about the allegation, and the official made the signal — a crossed arm gesture — to mark the racist abuse allegation. The incident occurred near the end of the match as the two players jostled in the Pachuca penalty area, and Rudiger eventually went to the pitch holding his face. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY A verbal altercation then occurred, and Abatti eventually sent both players away before Rudiger circled back to talk with the referee, who then made the crossed arm signal. Cabral denied the allegation following the match, telling reporters what happened was a 'fight' and that the two had 'collided.' 'He said that I hit him with my hand, and then there was an argument, and the referee made the sign of racism,' Cabral said. 'In Argentina we say 'cagon de mierda' (a profanity used to call someone a coward), all the time I told him the same thing.' Antonio Rudiger (L) and Gustavo Cabral in an altercation in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid and Pachuca. Photo: Richard Pelham / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP. Referee Ramon Abatti during injury time made the signal — a crossed arm gesture — to mark the racist abuse allegation. Photo:/AFP. Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said following the match that he had been informed that a FIFA investigation had already been started and that the club believed Rudiger's allegations. 'We believe him. It is unacceptable,' he said. Meanwhile, AFP reported Auckland City manager Paul Posa was 'thrilled' with his amateur team's 1-1 Club World Cup draw against Boca Juniors on Monday. The New Zealand side, already eliminated, secured perhaps the best result in the club's history in Nashville against the Argentine powerhouses, one of South America's biggest teams. Boca were eliminated from Group C after Benfica edged Bayern Munich 1-0 in the day's other match. Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric pleaded with the referee. Photo: Paul Ellis/ AFP. 'I'm sorry to break some Boca hearts, but we worked so hard,' said Auckland coach Paul Posa. 'You can't say we haven't learned from the experience of being at the tournament, I'm thrilled for the players and the club, it's wonderful. It's something to go home with.' Posa said it was a great result for football in Oceania. 'I think it's restored a little bit of pride, a little bit of reputation for us,' he added. 'We're a tiny club with a huge heart and that's evident for all to see... 'I think people here just don't have any idea how small a little club we are and where we've come from. So, it's just awesome.' After goalkeeper Nathan Garrow's own goal, Christian Gray, a teacher back home in New Zealand, headed Auckland City level in the second half. This article originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission. - With AFP Originally published as Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger at the centre of a racial abuse allegation at Club World Cup
New York Post
25-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
FIFA probing racial abuse allegation made against Pachuca's Gustavo Cabral
FIFA's disciplinary committee has begun proceedings against Pachuca captain Gustavo Cabral related to alleged racial abuse against Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger during Sunday's FIFA Club World Cup group stage match. As part of a statement on Tuesday night, FIFA said, according to The Athletic, that it made the decision to open proceedings 'following an assessment of the match reports' from the officials. Cabral will be allowed to play in the Mexican club's Club World Cup matches while the investigation goes on, though Pachuca will play in one final tournament game on Thursday against Saudi side Al-Hilal. 3 Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (2ndR) argues with Brazilian referee Ramon Abatti (C) next to Pachuca's Argentine defender Gustavo Cabral during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group H football match in Charlotte on June 22, 2025. AFP via Getty Images Rudiger notified referee Ramon Abatti during injury time of Real Madrid's 3-1 win about the allegation, and the official made the signal — a crossed arm gesture — to mark the racist abuse allegation. The incident occurred near the end of the match as the two players jostled in the Pachuca penalty area, and Rudiger eventually went to the pitch holding his face. A verbal altercation then occurred, and Abatti eventually sent both players away before Rudiger circled back to talk with the referee, who then made the crossed arm signal. 3 Antonio Rudiger #22 of Real Madrid and Gustavo Cabral #22 CF Pachuca during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and CF Pachuca at Bank of America Stadium on June 22, 2025. Getty Images Cabral denied the allegation following the match, telling reporters what happened was a 'fight' and that the two had 'collided.' 'He said that I hit him with my hand, and then there was an argument, and the referee made the sign of racism,' Cabral said. 'In Argentina we say 'cagon de mierda' (a profanity used to call someone a coward), all the time I told him the same thing.' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said following the match that he had been informed that a FIFA investigation had already been started and that the club believed Rudiger's allegations. 3 Gustavo Cabral #22 CF Pachuca gestures during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and CF Pachuca at Bank of America Stadium on June 22, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images 'We believe him. It is unacceptable,' he said.
