Rodrygo: his future is here

Amid the storm, a small island of calm. That is what Real Madrid will be for Rodrygo.

In his lowest moment, the club intends to stand firmly behind him. And not only in the present, as he begins a painful recovery, but also with an eye on what lies ahead. “Your future is here.” That is the internal message being conveyed to the Brazilian forward, whose contract runs through 2028. The injury changes nothing. It alters nothing because there was nothing to alter regarding his long-term outlook. His right knee injury wipes out the rest of the season and the upcoming World Cup, but it does not erase him from Real Madrid. The focus is already shifting toward 2027 and, if performances and feelings from both sides continue moving in the same direction, sitting down to discuss a renewal will not be ruled out.

That is the message coming from inside the club, though the approach is cautious. It is still far too early to look that far ahead. The immediate priority is what comes next – starting with surgery. The date for the operation remains uncertain and will not be set until the knee is ready. One thing is the diagnosis; another is the procedure itself. First the joint must be prepared, and that process is already underway for the forward from Osasco. At Valdebebas, he has been working with the club’s physiotherapists since the worst fears were confirmed. This initial phase is crucial to reduce inflammation, limit joint swelling and restore as much mobility as possible. Rodrygo’s injury is particularly serious – a torn anterior cruciate ligament combined with damage to the external meniscus. Operating too soon and rushing the process could lead to a more difficult postoperative recovery, something everyone is eager to avoid. The expected absence ranges from 10 to 12 months, though returning closer to the shorter end of that timeline would be considered a major success.

Naturally, the player has been deeply affected on an emotional level. The setback has come at the worst possible moment. His greatest dream this year was to play in the World Cup, and to do so in a leading role. It would have represented a step forward from 2022. In Qatar he played all five games for Brazil, totaling 180 minutes, though he started only the second group-stage game against Switzerland. This time, however, his status had changed. That had been the case in recent years with the Seleção and remained true once Carlo Ancelotti took charge. In his first call-ups, the coach experimented with several domestic-league players from Brazil’s Série A. But by October and November the lineup had returned to something closer to normal – and in that setup Rodrygo was central, starting three of four games and contributing two goals and an assist in 285 minutes.

For stretches, the national team became a source of comfort when his form at Real Madrid felt elusive. Eventually, though, he rediscovered his rhythm in Madrid as well. The turning point came against Manchester City. From that moment, Rodrygo produced three goals and four assists across five games, bringing his season totals to three goals and six assists overall. He never had the chance to build on those numbers. After returning from the Spanish Super Cup, a nagging physical issue began to linger.

He finished the semifinal against Atlético Madrid while already struggling physically – though he still scored – and pushed himself to start the final. After that came a pause. He appeared only briefly against Benfica and Rayo Vallecano before returning again against Getafe. That was when everything changed. In the 66th minute, he burst forward, planted his foot awkwardly and collapsed to the turf. He still finished the game. In hindsight, perhaps he should not have. Once the area cooled down, the worst fears began to take shape. The following day, the full blow arrived.

“One of the worst days of my life,” he wrote in a painful and reflective message. He closed it with a line full of determination: “It’s only a see you soon.” Rodrygo believes that, even after such difficult words. His focus is on returning – and on another World Cup in 2030 as a form of redemption. A long road lies ahead, but Real Madrid intend to walk it beside him.

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