Real Madrid's Rodrygo Out for Season
Real Madrid's Rodrygo sustained a torn ACL and is out for the season, forcing him to miss the upcoming World Cup. This is a major blow for both Brazil's World Cup campaign and Madrid's domestic and European competitions. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé dominated in Madrid's 3-1 Champions League win over Manchester City.
The recovery timeline for a torn ACL can be lengthy for soccer players, often ranging from nine to 12 months. Rehabilitation focuses on reducing swelling and regaining motion in the initial months, before progressing to strength training and sport-specific drills. Some athletes have returned in as little as 7.6 months, while for others it can take over a year. Before his injury, Rodrygo had contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in 19 La Liga appearances during the 2025-2026 season. In the Champions League, he added another goal and an assist across five matches. For the Brazilian national team, the 25-year-old has scored nine goals in 37 total appearances. At Real Madrid, other forwards available to step up include Vinícius Jr., Brahim Díaz, and Gonzalo García. The club's attack is also bolstered by midfielders like Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler, who can create scoring opportunities. Brazil's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has a wealth of attacking talent to consider for the World Cup. Forwards like Chelsea's Estevao, Manchester United's Matheus Cunha, and Barcelona's Raphinha are strong contenders for a spot. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Tottenham's Richarlison are other experienced options. Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick against Manchester City sealed a 6-3 aggregate victory for Real Madrid. His first goal came just four minutes into the match, and he scored his second after an assist from Rodrygo in the 34th minute. The third goal, a left-footed strike in the 61st minute, completed his first hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
