The past year or so has been filled with difficulties and challenges for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
The Brazilian attacker lost prominence in the team, first under Carlo Ancelotti, then Xabi Alonso, and even with Alvaro Arbeloa at the helm.
He then suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus in his right knee, in early March and had to undergo surgery.
The club initially estimated a recovery period between around six to seven months, ruling him out of the upcoming World Cup.
Return unlikely until January 2027
Now, according to AS, the most optimistic projections suggest Rodrygo may not return to action until early 2027.
Despite this, Rodrygo is doing everything possible to accelerate his recovery. Since undergoing surgery, the forward has centred his daily routine on rehabilitation.
In the first weeks, as is typical with such serious injuries, he was required to rest almost completely, avoiding any weight on the operated leg. He relied on crutches or a wheelchair to move around, while his knee remained immobilised in a brace.
Support from Eder Militao has been crucial during this period. A close friend who has experienced similar injuries, Militão has helped guide him through the process. Rodrygo has also found encouragement in the many messages sent by fans.
Working hard on recovery. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
As his recovery progressed and he was allowed to begin mobilising the knee, the more demanding phase began. Rodrygo now attends daily sessions at Valdebebas, where he works with the club’s rehabilitation staff, particularly Italian specialist Davide Violati.
These morning sessions are complemented by afternoon workouts at his home gym, focusing on strengthening his upper body, core, and left leg.
His home training is supervised by his personal fitness coach, Marcel Duarte, who has worked with him since his arrival at Real Madrid and coordinates closely with the club. Together, they have established a structured recovery plan.
The injured leg follows a more gradual process. In anterior cruciate ligament recoveries, the initial priority is regaining knee flexion, first to 90 degrees and then to 120, before introducing weight-bearing exercises.
Rodrygo has been meeting these milestones, even slightly ahead of schedule. Despite making positive progress, as things stand, a return is unlikely to take place this year.
