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Don Balon reports an alleged locker room fight between Luka Modrić and Antonio Rüdiger following Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona.
Real Madrid suffered a painful Copa del Rey final defeat against Barcelona after extra time, and according to Don Balon, tensions erupted in the locker room, with Luka Modrić and Antonio Rüdiger at the center of a heated altercation.
Frustrations boiled over late in the match when Rüdiger, enraged by the looming defeat, threw objects onto the pitch and directed his anger toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. Reports claim that in the dressing room after the match, Modrić confronted the German defender over his behaviour, leading to a physical clash that teammates and coaching staff had to break up.
"After the match, both players clashed in the dressing room, resulting in a fight that had to be broken up by other players and members of Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff, who were in disbelief," writes Don Balon.
Modrić allegedly criticized Rüdiger for tarnishing the club's image, insisting the defeat was not solely the referee’s fault. Although furious at first, Rüdiger reportedly came to his senses, apologized to his teammates, and later issued a public apology on social media for his actions during and after the game.
The incident is surprising given Modrić’s reputation for calm leadership and the traditionally disciplined nature of Real Madrid's locker room. Nevertheless, this latest controversy could have serious consequences, as Rüdiger now faces a possible suspension of between 4 and 12 matches, effectively ending his season.