Real Madrid and Brazil star to miss 2026 World Cup with knee injury

Real Madrid and Brazil forward Rodrygo has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is set to be sidelined for up to seven months, ruling him out of the World Cup, the club have confirmed

The Brazil international will undergo surgery, as confirmed by Los Blancos in a statement.

“Following tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn outer meniscus in his right leg,” the club said.

The 25-year-old featured for more than 30 minutes after coming off the bench in Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Getafe, but will now sit out for the rest of the season. Rodrygo becomes the fifth Madrid player to suffer an ACL injury since the summer of 2023. Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal have all sustained similar injuries, while Eder Militao has endured two ACL ruptures in that period, in August 2023 and November 2024.

He has scored three goals in 27 appearances this season, starting just six La Liga matches and two Champions League fixtures. His absence further stretches Madrid’s injury list. Jude Bellingham has been out since early February with a hamstring injury sustained against Rayo Vallecano, while Militao has also been sidelined with a hamstring problem since December.

Top scorer Kylian Mbappe has been managing ongoing knee discomfort since December and recently travelled to Paris for additional assessment and treatment.

Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona. They face Celta Vigo on Friday before hosting Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on March 11, now without one of their key attacking options for the foreseeable future.