Alvaro Arbeloa has urged Real Madrid to do everything they can to keep Antonio Rudiger beyond the end of this season, saying the defender is worthy of a statue.

Rudiger’s contract with the Spanish giants is due to expire at the end of this campaign, raising fears that he could depart as a free agent.

The Germany international joined Los Blancos on a free after leaving Chelsea in 2022 and has gone on to make 173 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Since the start of 2022-23, only Federico Valverde (216), Vinicius Junior (194), Rodrygo (189) and Aurelien Tchouameni (186) have represented Madrid more often.

Meanwhile, Valverde (17,682) and Vinicius (15,803) are the only Madrid players to play more minutes than Rudiger (13,888) in that time, and the centre-back has lifted the LaLiga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup trophies in that time.

Asked about Rudiger’s future ahead of Sunday’s derby against Atletico Madrid, Arbeloa was clear about his preferred outcome.

He said: “I don’t like to get into these issues; I respect both the club and the player a lot, and they are the two sides that have to understand each other.

“But if you ask me… I am willing to build a statue of Rudiger and put it in the garden.

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“He is a player who, from the first day I arrived, has only made himself available to the coaching staff.

“I remember perfectly that he sat down with me and said: ‘Boss, in March I will be there; when the hard moments come, I will be available’. And boy, he has been.

“It has been fortunate that the treatment he did in London has worked the way it has. He is a mirror, where all young players should look at themselves.

“I hope Real Madrid is aware of how lucky we are to have him at this club. I hope everyone always thanks him for the effort, personality and character that he imprints on us. I can only say absolutely wonderful things about Antonio Rudiger.”