Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Borussia Dortmund star Niclas Fullkrug clashed during Germany’s training session ahead of Euro 2024.
The German internationals were seen battling each other in what appeared like a row during the training session.
Footage of the incident, as shared on social media, showed Rudiger awkwardly marking Fullkrug during a crossing drill. Due to the challenge, Fullkrug was down to the ground and reportedly started using swear words on Rudiger. After using swear words on the former Chelsea defender, he then got up from the ground and moved menacingly towards Rudiger.
Tensions nearly boiled out of control before the team’s assistant manager, Sandro Wagner, spotting the building beef, quickly stepped in and intervened to calm the situation.
Meanwhile, Rudiger had sarcastically reacted to Niclas Fullkrug, trying to make fun of the incident but from the expression on Fullkrug’s face, the Borussia Dortmund forward was not taking things lightly.
As Rudiger tried to hold him, he wrist off his arm away from the Real Madrid center-back with a grim and angry-looking countenance.
The fallout is coming a few days before Germany kick off their Euro 2024 campaign on June 14 against Scotland.
Both Rudiger and Fullkrug made Julian Nagelsmann’s final squad for the tournament with the pair expected to play a crucial role in the team as the team prepare to stage a challenge for the European crown.
After Rudiger’s initial sarcastic response to the incident, trying to play down the confrontation, the 31-year-old was then spotted storming off the field.
There has not been a comment on the incident by the team but German fans hope the fallout will not break the team as they prepare to host and win the European Championship.
Away from the tense training session, Niclas Fullkrug has been known to be a strong admirer of Rudiger for his elite-level defending. The Borussia Dortmund striker had described Rudiger as ‘world-class’ before the pair met in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley where Rudiger’s side Real Madrid had the better of Fullkrug’s Dortmund.
Anthony Rudiger and Niclas Fullkrug Germany stats
Rudiger hit a decade of active international career with the German national team in 2024. He made his German national team debut in 2014 and has won 69 caps, scoring 3 goals.
Fullkrug, 31, made his Germany senior debut in 2022 and has racked up 11 goals in his 16 appearances for the team.
