Real Madrid’s ‘crazy’ hero does it again

In the middle of the madness, “El Loco” imposed his law. His latest victim: Real Sociedad. Just like Manchester City and Atlético before them. Two shootouts, two moments of pure ecstasy, both sealed by Antonio Rüdiger. It’s never too late for Rambo – the man who puts out fires wherever they break out, in his own half or the opponent’s.

As Ancelotti and Imanol were already calculating penalty takers, walking on thorns into the unknown, logic gave way to epic – and Rüdiger gave logic a reason to exist. “We’re Real Madrid. We always fight until the end,” he explained. Once again, the guardian angel.

Madrid was erratic, up and down. They stared down the edge of a cliff and tasted glory in the same breath. A 1–3 became 3–3 in the blink of an eye. Then, Oyarzabal’s late header silenced the Bernabéu and pushed the match into extra time. At 3–4, it seemed to be slipping away.

Until the 115th minute. Arda Güler whipped in a corner “with music,” and while Bellingham couldn’t reach it, Rüdiger – freshly subbed in for an overwhelmed Alaba – could. The Berlin Wall flew in and struck, once again, like a hunter shooting the gun. “Arda made it easy for me,” he said with a grin. Another goal. Another moment. A defender turned match-winner.

The Madrid faithful were still digesting his last miracle. In the Euroderby, he stepped up in the penalty shootout. Just like in last season’s madness at the Etihad, where it was Toni’s penalty that sealed the miracle. And though it came with suspense, it found the back of the net. That one booked a trip to London for a clash with Arsenal. This one? It sent them to Sevilla for a Copa final showdown with either Atleti or Barça in La Cartuja.

Without Rüdiger’s grit and accuracy, there might be no Champions League quarterfinal. No Copa final. Maybe not even last year’s semi against Bayern. In those moments that demand a cool head and a burning heart, Rüdiger shows up.

Madrid’s talisman

So far, Rüdiger has scored seven goals for Madrid – nearly all decisive. All with a prize attached. Not every Rüdiger goal guarantees victory, but it gets close.

Five of his goals ended in wins: against Stuttgart and Dortmund in the Champions League, Mallorca twice in La Liga, and Atlético in the Supercopa. The other two? Glorious draws.

The most unforgettable – until now – came against Shakhtar in 2022. In the 97th minute, Rüdiger’s diving header earned a vital point – and required 20 stitches. It also secured Madrid’s passage to the Champions League round of 16.

Because Rüdiger doesn’t appear by chance – he arrives by necessity. Like all true heroes do.

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