Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger has built a reputation as a fierce competitor on the pitch, but recent reports from the Spanish capital suggest his intensity may have boiled over in the wrong setting. According to multiple sources, the German defender allegedly slapped a teammate during a heated training ground altercation, adding another chapter to what has been a turbulent season for the 33-year-old.

The incident reportedly occurred after Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Alaves and their subsequent 1-1 draw with Real Betis two weeks ago. What started as a verbal exchange in the dressing room escalated quickly, with witnesses claiming Rudiger "lost his mind" at his teammate. Spanish radio station Onda Cero identified the other player as left-back Alvaro Carreras, a former Manchester United man, who was allegedly on the receiving end of Rudiger's slap. The Athletic later confirmed the altercation, noting that it was the culmination of multiple heated exchanges between the pair.

In a move that suggests remorse, Rudiger reportedly apologized for his actions and went a step further by inviting his teammates and their families to lunch last Friday as a gesture of goodwill. However, the fallout may have already impacted team dynamics. Since the incident, Carreras has not started a single game. When Ferland Mendy went down with an injury, it was Fran Garcia—not Carreras—who was called upon, prompting visible frustration from the sidelined left-back. Rudiger, meanwhile, has played the full 90 minutes in both matches since the bust-up.

This isn't the first time Rudiger's fiery temperament has made headlines this season. He was previously accused of deliberately kneeing Getafe's Diego Rico in the head and has faced criticism for crossing the line with comments directed at Bayern Munich's Josip Stanisic. With his contract expiring this summer, Real Madrid are reportedly considering a one-year extension, but incidents like these raise questions about whether his passion is an asset or a liability in the dressing room.