Real Madrid star 'in bust-up with Jude Bellingham' set to be axed by Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid are reportedly set to release a player who was recently involved in a training ground bust-up with Jude Bellingham. It has been a decent start to the campaign for the Spanish giants, having won seven of their opening eight La Liga matches. They currently trail leaders Barcelona by a single point but have the added benefit of a game in hand.

Xabi Alonso has been fielding a new-look defence this season with summer signing Dean Huijsen already a regular starter. He is usually paired with Eder Militao in the absence of Antonio Rudiger, who is currently sidelined with a thigh injury. The latter is not expected to return until next month and is said to be facing serious questions over his future at the Bernabeu.

His contract will expire at the end of the campaign and Real Madrid have no plans to offer him a new deal, according to Bild. It means Rudiger will be released when the season draws to a close after four years in Spain.

The report claims that Alonso is not convinced by Rudiger's fitness record, with the defender having suffered a number of injuries in recent seasons. When fit, he is viewed as a back-up option and will celebrate his 33rd birthday in March.

Rudiger is also believed to be among the club's highest earners, taking home in excess of £166,000 per week. Those in power at the Bernabeu are reportedly eager to get his salary off the books so they can reinvest into other areas.

Reports of the defender's potential exit come just months after he was involved in a furious bust-up with Bellingham during a training session.

According to El Chiringuito, the pair had to be pulled apart as tensions boiled over following a rash challenge from Rudiger. Bellingham was said to have reacted by firing an insult towards his team-mate, sparking an angry confrontation.

Rudiger has made a total of 151 appearances for Real Madrid since joining them from Chelsea back in 2022. He was a member of their Champions League-winning squad in 2024 and played the full 90 minutes in their victory over Borussia Dortmund in the final.

It remains to be seen if he will represent Germany at next summer's World Cup, with Bellingham also facing a battle to earn his place in the England squad after missing this month's games against Wales and Latvia.

Thomas Tuchel recently warned that big-name players like Bellingham will not be guaranteed a place in the squad unless they are performing on the pitch.

"At the moment, it is only about the players who are in camp," he said after the victory over Wales. "This is also where our focus goes. The door is always open for anyone to jump in. The competition is on."