Real Madrid CF have announced that Rodrygo has sustained a severe knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season and rule him out of this summer’s World Cup with Brazil.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club confirmed: “Following the tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right leg.”
The 25-year-old attacker picked up the injury during Monday’s 1-0 La Liga home defeat to Getafe CF. Although Rodrygo came on as a second-half substitute and finished the match, further medical examinations the next day revealed the seriousness of the damage.
An ACL rupture typically keeps players out for several months, with rehabilitation often extending close to a year. The setback comes shortly after Rodrygo had recovered from a month-long spell on the sidelines due to tendonitis.
His absence deals a significant blow to Brazil’s hopes of securing a record sixth World Cup crown in the United States. It also leaves Madrid light in attack at a pivotal point in their campaign.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé remains unavailable with a knee sprain, having missed the club’s last two matches because of an external ligament problem in his left knee.
With a UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash against Manchester City F.C. scheduled at the Santiago Bernabéu next week, Madrid’s attacking resources are stretched, leaving Vinícius Júnior, Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono as the only fully fit forward options.