BREAKING NEWS: “I intentionally wanted to end his career yesterday for that foul language that he said to me in the tunnel, such a disrespectful kid doesn’t deserve to play football,” Rudiger finally reveals what Lewis Skelly said to him yesterday before marching him on the chest last night

Arsenal’s triumphant night at the Santiago Bernabéu, which saw them book a spot in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in over a decade, has been overshadowed by a shocking revelation from Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.

In a bombshell post-match confession, Rudiger admitted that his controversial stomp on Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly wasn’t accidental. Speaking to reporters with a chilling bluntness, Rudiger revealed his fury at something the teenager had allegedly said to him in the tunnel before the second leg began.

“I intentionally wanted to end his career yesterday for that foul language that he said to me in the tunnel,” the German international said, his voice seething with lingering anger. “Such a disrespectful kid doesn’t deserve to play football.”

The incident in question occurred midway through the second half of Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Madrid on the night — a result that secured a 5-1 aggregate win. Lewis-Skelly was seen writhing in agony after Rudiger appeared to stamp on his midsection, sparking an immediate outcry from Arsenal fans and pundits.

Replays of the moment left little to the imagination. Rudiger’s left boot made direct contact with Lewis-Skelly’s lower stomach area, his studs visibly grazing the 18-year-old midfielder in what looked like a deliberate motion. But despite the shocking nature of the challenge, referee François Letexier took no disciplinary action, and VAR chose not to intervene.

TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher reacted in disbelief during the live broadcast: “No foul on Lewis-Skelly, and Rudiger might well have trodden on him there. That’s why he’s in pain, the youngster. Now the referee is going to stop it.”

The outcry among Arsenal supporters was immediate and intense. Social media was flooded with outrage, with fans questioning why Rudiger remained on the pitch while Lewis-Skelly had to be helped to the sideline for medical attention.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta chose not to fan the flames during his post-match press conference, praising his side’s composure and resilience instead. “This team is maturing,” Arteta said. “We handled the intensity, the pressure, and we kept our heads. That’s what got us through.”

But the calm exterior from the Arsenal bench was in stark contrast to what was happening behind the scenes, with reports suggesting the club is considering filing an official complaint to UEFA regarding Rudiger’s conduct.

As the story developed, Rudiger’s admission only added fuel to the fire. His claim that Lewis-Skelly used “foul language” in the tunnel before kickoff has yet to be corroborated. Sources close to the Arsenal camp have denied any such exchange took place, maintaining that Lewis-Skelly is known for his respectful demeanor on and off the pitch.

The match itself was a tense, drama-filled encounter. Arsenal, already leading 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates, had the chance to seal the tie early when Bukayo Saka stepped up to take a penalty in the 13th minute. However, his weak Panenka attempt was easily saved by Thibaut Courtois, giving Madrid a brief lifeline.

Real Madrid thought they had earned a penalty of their own just before half-time, only for VAR to overturn the decision after a lengthy review. The home fans at the Bernabéu were incensed, and the tension in the stadium was palpable.

Saka made amends for his earlier miss with a sublime chip over Courtois in the 65th minute, silencing the home crowd and effectively killing Madrid’s hopes of a comeback. Though Vinicius Jr. responded almost immediately with a goal of his own, the Spanish giants never looked like overturning the deficit.

Gabriel Martinelli sealed the win in stoppage time with a composed finish, giving Arsenal a memorable victory and sending them through to the last four, where they’ll face PSG — who narrowly edged past Aston Villa in their own quarter-final.

But even with such a landmark victory, the post-match headlines were dominated not by goals, but by Rudiger’s act of aggression and his startling justification. The German defender, once a Premier League star with Chelsea, has never shied away from controversy, but this latest episode has many calling for serious consequences.

“It doesn’t matter what was said in the tunnel — nothing justifies a player intentionally trying to hurt another,” said former England defender Rio Ferdinand during the post-match analysis. “That kind of mentality has no place in football.”

Whether UEFA takes action remains to be seen, but pressure is mounting. Arsenal fans have launched multiple petitions online calling for Rudiger to face suspension or disciplinary measures ahead of Madrid’s next European fixture.

For Myles Lewis-Skelly, the rising Arsenal prospect, the incident may serve as a harsh reminder of the mental and physical challenges that come with top-level football. But if the support from his teammates and fans is anything to go by, the young star will emerge stronger from this ordeal.

As for Rudiger, his words may have been intended to clarify his actions — but they’ve only served to deepen the controversy. In the unforgiving spotlight of the Champions League, such moments linger long after the final whistle.