- Rudiger and Fullkrug had been seen pushing each other in a clash in training
- Rudiger reportedly kept trying to pull Fullkrug down during a training drill
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Germany stars Antonio Rudiger and Niclas Fullkrug were reportedly involved in a ‘heated altercation’ in training just days before the hosts are due to get Euro 2024 underway.
As reported by BILD, Rudiger had repeatedly pulled the striker down as defender closely marked him during a crossing drill in training.
Fullkrug reportedly stayed on the ground following one strong challenge and started swearing at Rudiger.
The forward then got up and went towards Rudiger, with the two players pushing each other.
Assistant coach Sandro Wagner then had to intervene and calm the situation down.
Fullkrug had told Mads Buttgereit, a member of the coaching staff, to ‘just blow the whistle’.
Rudiger was later seen sarcastically applauding Fullkrug, who was calmed down by a member of the coaching staff.
The pair faced each other in the Champions League final earlier this month, with Rudiger’s Real Madrid winning 2-0 against Fullkrug’s Dortmund at Wembley.
Fullkrug had been complimentary of Rudiger earlier in the day, describing him and fellow centre-back Jonathan Tah as ‘simply world class’ in a press conference.
As reported by the German Football Federation, he said: ‘We’re very strong with them at the back.
‘They play with energy and strength and are simply world class. They’re very difficult to get past.
‘It feels really good to have them both on the pitch.
‘It’s great that we have so much depth in defence. It gives us a formidable backline.’
Hosts Germany will get Euro 2024 underway on Friday night when they take on Scotland.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side will later face Hungary and Switzerland as they look to make it through the group stages.