Real Madrid confirmed that forward Rodrigo tore his anterior cruciate ligament and torn the meniscus in his right knee.
The Brazil international will undergo surgery in the coming days.
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The injury is expected to sideline him for up to a year.
That schedule will keep the 25-year-old out of this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“The Real Madrid medical department examined our player Rodrigo today and was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a torn external meniscus in his right leg,” the club said in a statement.
Rodrygo suffered the injury in Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Getafe on Monday.
He came off the bench and played more than 30 minutes before showing obvious discomfort late in the game.
A subsequent medical evaluation confirmed the severity of the damage.
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An ACL rupture is one of the most serious injuries in football and almost always requires surgical reconstruction.
Recovery for elite athletes typically takes 9 to 12 months.
The setback adds to Real Madrid’s growing list of long-term knee injuries in recent seasons.
Rodrygo became the fifth Madrid player to suffer a torn anterior cruciate ligament since the summer of 2023.
Thibault Courtois, David Alaba and Dani Carvajal have all suffered similar injuries, while Ed Militao has suffered two cruciate ligament ruptures during this period.
Rodrygo’s absence leaves Real Madrid short-changed in the attacking areas at a crucial stage of the season.
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He has made 27 appearances this season and scored three goals, but his playing time has been limited.
Prior to this latest setback, the striker had recently returned from a period of tendonitis.
His injury is also a major blow to Brazil ahead of the World Cup.
Rodrygo has featured in all five matches of the 2022 World Cup and has been working hard to secure a permanent role under the current management of the national team.
Madrid’s focus now shifts to managing resources in La Liga and the Champions League without one of their most versatile attackers.
For Rodrigo, the top priority is a successful surgery and a long recovery process.
It marks a devastating personal setback for a player who has often contributed in decisive moments for the Spanish giants.
