Rodrygo Out for Season
Real Madrid's Rodrygo suffered a torn ACL that will keep him out for the rest of the club season and force him to miss the upcoming World Cup. It's a devastating blow for both Real Madrid's title hopes and Brazil's World Cup squad.
The typical recovery time for an ACL reconstruction for an elite soccer player ranges from six to 13 months, with studies showing an average return to play of just over eight months. Full recovery to a pre-injury level of performance can sometimes take until the second season back. The injury occurred during a packed and crucial period for Real Madrid. The team is scheduled to compete in La Liga, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey in the coming months, with key European fixtures against Monaco and Benfica on the horizon. Before the injury, the 25-year-old winger had been a key contributor for Real Madrid this season. In the 2025/2026 La Liga campaign, Rodrygo had registered one goal and three assists in 19 appearances, creating a significant number of scoring chances. Across all competitions, he had scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists. Brazil, however, has a wealth of attacking options to consider for the World Cup. The squad includes Rodrygo's Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior, as well as players like Matheus Cunha, Richarlison, and Barcelona's Raphinha, who are all candidates to fill the void.
