Brazil Dealt Unfortunate Rodrygo News Before 2026 FIFA World Cup

Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images

Brazil Dealt Unfortunate Rodrygo News Before 2026 FIFA World Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Mar 3, 2026 10:49 AM ET

Real Madrid and the Brazil national team are preparing for decisive months as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is still evaluating options across the pitch with the final squad for the World Cup due in May.

The South American nation will open its tournament in Group C against Morocco on June 13 at the Meadowlands, with Haiti and Scotland also in the nation's group.

Several core players, including Alisson, Marquinhos, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Raphinha and Vinicius, are already considered near-locks for making it to the World Cup, but others, such as Real Madrid's Rodrygo, aren't such clear-cut candidates.

Vinicius Júnior of Brazil (R) celebrates his goal with teammate Rodrygo Silva (L) during the CONMEBOL Copa America.(Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Real Madrid issued a medical update on Rodrygo after tests conducted by the club’s staff, and the results ultimately removed him from Brazil's squad contention.

“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 statement read.

The 25-year-old forward sustained the injury during Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Getafe on Monday. Rodrygo entered in the 55th minute and played more than half an hour in his first appearance since early February.

Rodrygo will undergo surgery in the coming days, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the expected recovery timeline.

Parte médico de Rodrygo.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 3, 2026

“BREAKING: Rodrygo has torn his ACL and will be out for the next 6/7 months, reports Marca . He’s now expected to MISS the World Cup with Brazil. ⚠️,” Romano wrote.

The timeline rules Rodrygo out of the World Cup this summer, as well as the remainder of the Real Madrid season—including La Liga's home stretch and the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Rodrygo has earned 37 caps for Brazil and scored nine international goals to go with two assists, already having appeared in all five matches at the 2022 World Cup, starting once.

Rodrygo finished his seventh season at the Santiago Bernabeu with three goals and four assists in 27 appearances across competitions, starting six La Liga matches and two Champions League fixtures.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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