Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has probably been the best free-agent signing the club could have asked for. Ever since Rudiger was able to outmuscle and outthink Erling Haaland in the UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City in 2023, he has not looked back.
He has since become a nailed-on starter at Real Madrid, and has been one of their best and most consistent players for two seasons in a row.
Real Madrid have won the league once ever since he joined, and could win it a second time if Ancelotti is able to turn things around for the club.
He has since revealed the toughest opponent he has faced in La Liga during his time at the club.
Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger's toughest opponent is Julian Alvarez
When Alkass Sports asked him the question, his reply was Atletico Madrid rival Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez only joined Atletico Madrid in the summer of last year, but has been an immediate success at Real Madrid's city rivals.
He has been a good addition to the club, and has also scored against Los Blancos. Rudiger and Alvarez have gone up against each other twice in LaLiga and twice in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid won one game in regulation time but lost in penalties, Real Madrid won the other in the Champions League, and the remaining two in LaLiga were 1-1 draws.
Alvarez is not the typical, physical striker that a club would have. He is very intelligent with his movement on and off the ball, and can harm his opponents in more ways than one.
There is no surprise that Real Madrid were once linked with Alvarez, before he joined Manchester City, and Rudiger saying that about his rival instead of a player like Robert Lewandowski goes to show just how good Alvarez can be.