Real Madrid star releases official statement after Rudiger dressing room slap

6 May 2026 07:44 BST | 4 min read

Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Real Madrid star Alvaro Carreras has released a statement following claims that he was slapped in the dressing room by Antonio Rudiger – a claim that the former Manchester United left-back did not deny.

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Journalist Miguel Serrano claimed on Onde Cero that in February, the Germany international centre-back struck out at Carreras in the face in the dressing room.

This was subsequently verified by Miguel Angel Diaz on COPE, who added that the incident occurred just hours after the Real Madrid squad had a dinner together as a team-building session designed to fire them up to fight for the title in La Liga.

Current ETV

Álvaro Carreras

D (L)

Real Madrid

Álvaro Carreras

D (L)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€50.8M - €62.1M

Carreras broke his silence on social media regarding the incident, during which he addressed claims that he lacks commitment to Real Madrid as well as the Rudiger incident, which he did not deny but sought to play down:

“In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality.

“My commitment to this club and to the coaches I’ve had has been unwavering since day one, and it will continue to be so. Since I returned, I have always worked with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and dedication. I have fought very hard to fulfil my dream of returning home.

“Regarding the incident with a teammate, it was an isolated matter without importance that has already been resolved. My relationship with the entire team is very good.”

© IMAGO - Alvaro Carreras, Instagram statement

Carreras out of the team and linked to Arsenal

Carreras, a Spain U21 international, has been at the heart of many rumours regarding his future in recent weeks, during which he has disappeared from the Real Madrid starting XI.

It has been claimed that both the club and head coach Alvaro Arbeloa are both unhappy with the player’s attitude.

This has led to transfer speculation linking the 23-year-old with a move back to the Premier League, with Arsenal rumoured to be interested in signing him.

Real Madrid fighting fires

This incident is simply the latest in a long line of issues that Real Madrid are having to cope with currently.

Indeed, it is small fry compared to the headlines that have been generated by Vinicius Junior, who has still not signed a new contract with the club, and Kylian Mbappe, whose relationship with the club has deteriorated after he controversially chose to take a holiday to Italy.

Carreras signed for Real Madrid in a €50 million deal from Benfica last summer that was hailed as a significant coup. He has played 38 games for Los Blancos this season, with his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) rising to €56.4m.

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