Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn meniscus in his right knee, as confirmed by the club. This severe injury will require surgery and is expected to keep the Brazil international sidelined for up to a year, unfortunately ruling him out of the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In a statement, Real Madrid detailed that tests carried out by their medical staff confirmed the injuries, which occurred during the player’s appearance off the bench in a 1-0 defeat against Getafe on Monday. The severity of the injury was confirmed through subsequent scans on Tuesday.
Expressing his dismay on Instagram, Rodrygo reflected on the emotional toll of the situation, stating, “One of the worst days of my life… maybe life has been a little cruel to me lately.” Despite the setback, he acknowledged the good moments he has experienced in his career and noted the difficulty of being unable to play for both his club and country, calling the World Cup a significant personal dream.
This injury adds Rodrygo to a growing list of Real Madrid players affected by ACL injuries since the summer of 2023, which includes goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal. Defender Eder Militao has suffered from ACL injuries on two separate occasions recently, further stressing the team’s injury challenges.
Rodrygo’s recent season has seen him struggle for playing time and scoring, with only three goals in 27 appearances. His reduced role has been compounded by personal struggles that he revealed in an interview last October, where he spoke about facing mental health issues amid a demanding schedule.
His absence will undoubtedly impact Real Madrid’s strategy going forward, particularly as they look to maintain their position in La Liga, where they currently trail leaders Barcelona by four points. Furthermore, Jude Bellingham has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, and Kylian Mbappe is also managing knee pain, complicating the team’s injury situation.
Rodrygo’s contributions in past Champions League matches have been invaluable, helping to secure critical victories. Missing out on the World Cup will be a significant disappointment for him, especially after his previous appearances in international tournaments. Nevertheless, there remains hope that he will emerge from rehabilitation stronger, ready to contribute once again to his team’s aspirations in the future. Madrid’s next match is against Celta Vigo, followed by a crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City.