Neymar comforts Rodrygo after ACL rules him out of World Cup

Real Madrid confirmed that Rodrygo has suffered "a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and a rupture of the external meniscus of the right leg," an injury sustained during the La Liga clash with Getafe. The club said the problem occurred just 11 minutes after his introduction as a substitute in the 55th minute, bringing his domestic campaign to a close.

Scans and further testing indicated a recovery timeline that typically spans between seven and nine months, effectively ending his chances of featuring for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Rodrygo, who had recently struggled with tendonitis, was visibly distraught when his knee buckled during a trademark feint; he managed to finish the match despite intense pain.

Neymar posted a lengthy Instagram message to his "little brother," calling him "my number 10, my boy, my heir (as I call you)," and urging him to "take care of your head" and to "surround yourself with everyone you love." He added: "Little brother … STRENGTH, I'm sure you'll come back flying.

Brazil

rodrygo, neymar, acl, meniscus, real madrid, getafe, la liga, world cup, 2026, tendonitis