Rodrigo of Brazil during an international friendly against Senegal in London on November 15, 2024. Real Madrid striker Rodrigo is likely to miss this summer’s World Cup in his native Brazil due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tear in his right knee.
Real Madrid said on Tuesday that Rodrigo suffered a leg injury after coming on as a substitute in Monday’s 1-0 loss to Getafe in La Liga.
“As a result of the examination carried out today by Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Rodrigo, he was diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and a rupture of the lateral meniscus of his right leg,” the club said in a statement.
Rodrigo, 25, is expected to be out for up to a year after undergoing surgery, which will prevent him from representing Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. Brazil’s first match is against Morocco in Group C on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland in the group stage.
He played in all five of Brazil’s matches at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, starting two and providing a total of one assist.
CBF is well aware of the Spanish Liga opposition of Rodrygo Goes’ Atleta, the home of Real Madrid and the Brazilian Selesio, and Getafe. Rodrygo teve lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior and do menisco externo do joelho direito. CBF Design Ao… pic.twitter.com/IAKkehmfLF
— Brazil (@CBF_Futebol) March 3, 2026
Rodrigo, who was suffering from tendonitis and was sidelined a month before Monday’s game, has one goal, three assists and 27 shots (11 on target) in 19 games (six starts) for Real Madrid in 2025-26. He has 3 goals and 6 assists in 27 games in all competitions.
He has a total of 42 goals and 36 assists in 232 games (154 starts) for Brazil’s Santos FC (2017-19) and Real Madrid (2019-present) in Serie A.
The Brazilian Football Federation released a statement on Tuesday regarding the defeat at Rhodes.
CBF said: “We express our solidarity with Real Madrid and Brazil national team striker Rodrigo Goes, who suffered a serious injury during a match against Getafe in the Spanish league.”
“Rodrigo suffered an anterior cruciate ligament and outer meniscus injury in his right knee. CBF wishes the player a speedy recovery and a return to the field as soon as possible.”
–Field level media
