Real Madrid shocked, loses star striker for two consecutive years

Rodrygo's knee injury recovery process is progressing slower than expected, leaving Real Madrid fans facing the prospect of losing the Brazilian star until 2027.

The past year has been a period filled with severe challenges for Rodrygo. After losing his starting position under coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and even Alvaro Arbeloa, this 25-year-old forward now faces the nightmare of injury.

In early March this year, Rodrygo suffered an extremely serious injury with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus damage in his right knee. He was immediately rushed into surgery.

Although initial estimates from Real Madrid's medical team suggested he would need about six to seven months to recover, the latest assessments paint a much gloomier picture.

According to information from AS, the most optimistic forecasts now indicate that Rodrygo's return could be delayed until early 2027. This means the Brazilian forward will certainly miss the upcoming World Cup and most major tournaments this year with the "White Ballet."

Despite the difficult situation, Rodrygo is still pushing himself to accelerate his recovery. He works daily at Valdebebas under the close supervision of specialist Davide Violati and personal fitness coach Marcel Duarte. The 25-year-old star has achieved important milestones like regaining knee flexion to 120 degrees and starting controlled strength-building exercises.

During the difficult phase of moving with crutches and a wheelchair, support from his close friend Eder Militao—who also experienced a similar injury—became a major emotional pillar for him.

However, Real Madrid and the medical team are extremely cautious. For a player like Rodrygo, whose style heavily relies on speed and agility, returning too early before the ligament is fully stable could lead to worse consequences.

Therefore, the possibility of returning to the pitch before January 2027 is currently assessed as very low. Madrid fans will have to patiently wait much longer to see their number 11 running on the Bernabeu grass again.