Real Madrid could be forced into last-minute decisions over Antonio Rüdiger and Rodrygo ahead of their UEFA Champions League meeting with Monaco at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. The match is scheduled for 21:00 CET (22:00 Athens time) and comes at a tense moment for Los Blancos after a turbulent week both on and off the pitch.
According to reports in Spain, both players are still being monitored after they trained individually on Sunday, leaving their availability uncertain going into the final session before the game.
What happened in training
Real Madrid returned to work at Valdebebas following their 2–0 La Liga win over Levante, splitting the squad between recovery work and on-pitch drills. The club’s training report confirmed that Rüdiger and Rodrygo trained individually, while the rest of the group progressed through gym work and finishing/metabolic exercises.
The expectation is that the final call will be made after Monday’s training, which is the last full session before the Monaco fixture.
Who is definitely out?
Even if the two doubts recover in time, Madrid are already dealing with a stretched defensive list. The club says Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold are continuing with their rehabilitation work, which effectively rules them out for Tuesday night.
That lack of options could heavily influence how Álvaro Arbeloa sets up, especially if Rüdiger is not cleared to feature.
Bernabéu atmosphere and the Vinícius noise
Madrid’s win over Levante eased some pressure, but it didn’t fully calm the mood at the Bernabéu. Reports from the match described clear fan frustration, including boos aimed at parts of the team and criticism directed at the club’s leadership.
In the aftermath, fresh claims have circulated about Vinícius Jr. and his relationship with the home crowd. Some outlets have suggested the winger is unhappy with the reaction he has received and may be weighing up his situation, though it remains reporting rather than official confirmation.
Why this Monaco game matters
The Monaco match is a major checkpoint in Madrid’s Champions League campaign, and the timing is awkward: a big European night arriving while the squad is still balancing injuries, form questions, and a noisy stadium environment.
If Rüdiger and Rodrygo are passed fit, Madrid get a boost in both defensive stability and attacking balance. If not, Arbeloa may need to rely on rotation and youth again—something that has already become a recurring theme in recent weeks.
