The winger featured in Madrid’s shock 1-0 home defeat to Getafe CF on March 2 and showed no immediate signs of discomfort after coming off the bench. However, medical examinations conducted the following day confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his right knee.
The injury, first reported by Spanish outlets AS and Marca on March 3 and later confirmed by Real Madrid, is expected to sideline the 25-year-old for six to seven months.
That timeline would rule him out of the remainder of the 2025/26 season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. His recovery could also extend into the early months of the 2026/27 campaign.
Rodrygo entered the match against Getafe in the 55th minute, replacing 18-year-old Thiago Pitarch on his full Madrid debut, and completed the final 35 minutes. According to AS, the injury occurred in the 66th minute when he was challenged by Adrian Liso and his planted leg caught in the turf. Though visibly in pain briefly, he continued playing and was heavily involved in Madrid’s late push for an equaliser.
Concerns emerged only after the match, with reports indicating the forward experienced increased discomfort the following morning. The setback comes shortly after his return from a thigh injury.
Madrid, who have 12 matches remaining in La Liga as they chase leaders FC Barcelona, are also preparing to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 this month, fixtures Rodrygo will now miss.
At international level, Rodrygo has been a regular presence for Brazil since the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he started two matches and registered one assist. In the four years since, he has scored eight goals for his country, three of which have come in competitive fixtures. He did not score at the 2024 Copa America and was omitted from Brazil’s squad for the final four World Cup qualifiers.
Despite his absence, Brazil retain considerable attacking depth, including Neymar, who is seeking a return to the national side, as well as Raphinha, Estevao, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli and Antony.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium.
Brazil have been drawn in Group C and are due to open their campaign against Morocco on June 13 before facing Haiti and Scotland in the group stage.
