One of Real Madrid's star players is confirmed to miss the 2026 World Cup.
Rodrygo, the Brazilian international forward for "Los Blancos" Real Madrid, suffered a major blow after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, forcing him to miss the rest of the season and ruling him out of the 2026 World Cup with Brazil.
Rodrygo was injured after coming on as a substitute in the La Liga match where Real Madrid lost 0-1 to Getafe on Monday night. Real Madrid stated, "After examination by our medical team today, he has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee."
Meanwhile, the Brazilian Football Confederation issued a statement saying, "The Brazilian Football Confederation expresses sympathy and encouragement to the athlete Rodrygo, forward for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team, who suffered a serious injury during the match against Getafe in the Spanish league. We wish him a speedy recovery and return to the field as soon as possible."
It is expected that Rodrygo will need up to a year to recover if surgery is required, causing him to miss playing for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July.
Brazil will play their first match on 13 June against Morocco in Group C in New Jersey, followed by games against Haiti and Scotland in the group stage.
Rodrygo played in all five of Brazil's matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, starting twice and providing one assist. This season with Real Madrid, he has scored 3 goals and contributed 6 assists across all competitions.
