Rodrygo Ruptures ACL and Meniscus, Ruled Out of 2026 World Cup

Overview

• Real Madrid’s medical team diagnosed ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in Rodrygo’s right knee, and Brazil’s federation is treating his World Cup absence as definitive.
• The club is still determining the date for surgical reconstruction, with typical return-to-competition timelines reported between six and twelve months.
• The injury was sustained against Getafe shortly after his comeback from a right‑thigh issue, with reports describing a sharp change of direction and a sensation that the knee gave way.
• The Athletic reported he had played for nearly two years with a partial ACL tear managed conservatively, a claim relayed by Brazilian outlets as his staff emphasized prior care was appropriate.
• His loss forces Brazil and Real Madrid to recalibrate their attacking plans, with competition for national-team forward spots expected to intensify ahead of the tournament.