Real Madrid forward Rodrygo will miss the rest of the season and the World Cup after tearing ligaments in his right knee, the club announced on Tuesday.
The injury occurred during Monday’s 1-0 La Liga defeat by Getafe.
The 25-year-old Brazil international had only just returned from a month-long muscle injury when he came off the bench in the 54th minute.
In the 66th minute, his leg became caught during a challenge on the left wing as he tried to accelerate, causing him to show immediate pain and briefly fall, though he completed the match.
Real Madrid confirmed the severity of the injury in a statement, revealing: “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.”
Rodrygo has won 37 caps for Brazil since making his international debut in 2019. He has scored nine goals for his country.
He featured in all five of Brazil’s matches at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022 prior to their exit from the tournament after losing on penalties to Croatia in the quarter-finals.
His absence from this summer’s tournament is a huge blow for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Brazil have won the World Cup on five occasions, making them the most successful nation in the history of the tournament.
However, they have not lifted the coveted trophy since 2002, and have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in the last two World Cups.
Brazil could only finish fifth in their South American World Cup qualifying group behind Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia and Uruguay, and now they will have to cope without one of their best attacking talents this summer.
Brazil are due to get their World Cup campaign underway against Morocco on 13 June.
