While his performance is beginning to resemble last year's and Real Madrid is seriously considering Antonio Rudiger's contract extension, the defender is once again called up by the German national team to play in friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana during this latest international break.

Rudiger's call-up to Germany at 33 has been marked by controversy over the player's behavior both on and off the field following the incident he had weeks ago with Diego Rico.

However, his compatriot Joshua Kimmich, who plays for Bayern Munich, has come out to defend him and highlight Rudiger's career, as he is earning himself at least one more year at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"This is a question for the coach," Kimmich said when asked about his starting role with Germany and his ability to beat out Nico Schlotterbeck and Jonathan Tah.

"But, in general terms, Toni [Rudiger] is an important player. I have the feeling that, in Germany, we sometimes forget what he has contributed over the last three, four years," added the Bayern player.

"He is a starter at Real Madrid and plays in the final stages of the Champions League every year. He is a player you can always rely on. He has shown that he can perform at the highest level. Players like him are important."

Additionally, Kimmich criticized the entire campaign emerging to discredit Rudiger, highlighting the advantages of having veteran players with sufficient elite-level experience.

"Having someone with his experience and competitive level is essential. He has demonstrated his ability to perform in big matches and always brings solidity to the defense. For us, he is a reference and a key player for the national team," he said.

Suffering from discomfort in his left knee, which he had surgery on in April 2025, Rudiger returned in February, but it was in March that he returned to his best level, being very important in the tie against Manchester City to stop Erling Haaland and becoming an indispensable piece in maintaining the defensive solidity that Real Madrid has shown in recent weeks.

But not only that, because the German has also served as a 'contagious effect' on the rest of the group and, above all, on Dean Huijsen. The Spanish international had suffered a very clear competitive downturn, but Rudiger's wisdom has helped him resurface.

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