Antonio Rudiger Jokingly Threatens to 'Smash' Kylian Mbappe Ahead of Potential Champions League Final Clash

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger has jokingly threatened to 'smash' Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe if the two teams encounter one another in the 2024 Champions League final at Wembley. Rudiger's comments come amid speculation of Mbappe potentially transferring to Real Madrid in the future.

In a short interview, Rudiger said, "If we face him in the final, we'll beat him. And if he passes [i.e. dribbles] me, I'll smash him." The comments were made in a lighthearted manner, as Rudiger and Mbappe are known to be friends off the pitch. Rudiger praised Mbappe as a 'special' player who could become the best in France's history.

Mbappe, who is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his PSG contract expires, has expressed his desire to win the Champions League with his current club first before potentially joining the Spanish giants. Real Madrid nearly signed Mbappe in 2022, but the player ultimately decided to sign a new deal with PSG, though he has now informed the club that he will be leaving when his contract expires this summer.

To reach the final, Real Madrid must defeat Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, while PSG must eliminate Borussia Dortmund. The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will take place on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, while PSG and Borussia Dortmund will face each other on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Why this matters: The potential matchup between Real Madrid and PSG in the Champions League final, fueled by the speculation of Mbappe's transfer to the Spanish club, has generated significant interest among football fans worldwide. The outcome of this high-profile clash could have implications for both clubs' future strategies and the broader football landscape.

Rudiger expressed confidence in Real Madrid's gameplay, as they currently lead the La Liga table with 84 points, 11 points ahead of second-place Barcelona. The German defender also defended Mbappe against 'disrespectful' memes suggesting he had the French striker 'in his pocket' during a recent international match. As the Champions League semi-finals approach, football enthusiasts eagerly await the possible confrontation between two of Europe's most talented players and their respective teams.

Key Takeaways

• Rudiger jokingly threatens to 'smash' Mbappe if they meet in 2024 CL final.
• Mbappe expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer when PSG contract expires.
• Real Madrid and PSG must defeat Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to reach CL final.
• Rudiger defends Mbappe against 'disrespectful' memes, calls him a 'special' player.
• Potential Real Madrid-PSG CL final matchup generates significant interest among fans.