REAL MADRID
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo suffers knee injury: will he play against Cádiz?
The Brazilian returned to the Spanish capital with an issue in his knee, causing yet more worries for Ancelotti as he looks ahead to Cádiz in LaLiga.
Real Madrid’s injury worries during the November international break continue to grow, with Rodrygo Goes the latest player to cause concern following a physical issue sustained on national team duty. His participation in the game against Cádiz (Sunday 26 November 2023, KO at 12.30 p.m. ET / 9.30 a.m. PT.) is now at risk.
When it rains, it pours. A popular saying that describes perfectly the cascade of falling players that has overwhelmed Real Madrid this season. The latest to join the growing group gathering in the recovery room is Rodrygo.
AS understands that, despite the fact that the winger played the full 90 minutes against Messi and his side at the Maracaná in a tie that was marred by ugly scenes, the young Brazilian striker ended up finishing the game in pain.
What is Rodrygo’s injury? When will he be back?
The 22-year-old arrived in Madrid early on Thursday morning and, after a few hours of rest, he went to Valdebebas, Real Madrid’s training complex. He stayed inside in the gym and did not make it out onto the pitch with his teammates due to a knock that caused swelling in his knee.
He has already undergone tests to examine the injury, which will continue today (Friday); as things stand, the club staff are confident that the issue is nothing serious. They hope the issue will be solved with physiotherapy treatment and that the player will be available in what are decisive weeks ahead in both LaLiga and Champions League (Real Madrid host Napoli next Wednesday). However, for now, Rodrygo playing in the match against Cadiz is unlikely.
Who will play instead of Rodrygo?
For Ancelotti, the injury to Rodrygo, even if nothing serious, is hugely significant as it is the latest in a long line of physical worries in the Spanish capital this season, with Rodrygo’s compatriot Vini Jr out for an extended period, as well as players such as Camavinga, Tchouaméni and Kepa. It looks like Bellingham and Ceballos are the two pieces of good news.
This means that Ancelotti will not be able to count on either of his two Brazilian attackers (who scored four goals between them against Valencia) or Arda Güler in Cádiz, leaving only two fit forwards from the first team: Brahim and Joselu. Carlo’s got a headache and a problem that needs to be solved very soon: whether he dips into the academy or not is another issue altogether.