Real Madrid confirms Brazil winger Rodrygo has a torn ACL just 100 days before World Cup

By Canadian Press on March 3, 2026.

MADRID (AP) — Brazil international Rodrygo is expected to miss the rest of Real Madrid’s season and the World Cup because of a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, the Spanish club said Tuesday.

The 25-year-old winger was injured in Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Getafe on Monday, when he came on as a substitute after having sat out nearly a month due to tendinitis.

Neither Madrid nor Brazil’s soccer federation mentioned surgery or a timetable for Rodrygo’s return. The federation wished him a “speedy recovery.”

Rodrygo played in all five of Brazil’s games at the 2022 World Cup, where his team lost on penalties in the quarterfinals to Croatia. Rodrygo’s spot kick was saved in the shootout.

He was not in Brazil’s squad for any of the last four World Cup qualifying games last year, but coach Carlo Ancelotti did use Rodrygo in each of the four friendlies in October and November.

Rodrygo played 27 games for Madrid in all competitions this season, scoring three goals and adding six assists.

Madrid is still missing injured star striker Kylian Mbappé.

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The Associated Press