The injury of Rodrygo ACL has dealt a colossal setback to the Real Madrid as well as Brazil national football team before the 2026 World Cup.
The young forward had rupture of anterior cruciate ligament and a tear in the left meniscus in his right knee. The injury happened after he arrived as a substitute in a 1-0 La Liga loss to Getafe CF on Monday. Tuesday, medical tests were done which confirmed the diagnosis to Real Madrid.
The club in an official statement described the extent of damage. The rupture of the ACL along with the damage to the meniscus can be considered one of the greatest losses an athlete in football can ever get. Surgery and prolonged rehabilitation are common methods of recovery. It has been reported that Rodrygo might be out of action as long as a year.
This would exclude him in the 2026 FIFA world cup which is to be held between June 11 and July 19. Brazil will be starting their campaign on June 13 against Morocco in Group C. They will also have Haiti and Scotland in the group stage.
This trauma comes at a very crucial point in the career of Rodrygo. He has been a valuable attacking resource to the club and country. He has been a dependable participant in big events due to his speed, mobility, and playing experience in big matches.
In the case of Brazil, the defeat changes the strategy of attacking only a few months prior to the tournament. There is depth, but Rodrygo is versatile and has a good chemistry with the key players in the team.
The next few weeks will establish the reality of surgery. Whichever the case, his journey to recovery will be very tedious.
