What Rodrygo’s ACL and meniscus injury means and how long he could be out | OneFootball

Real Madrid and Brazil star Rodrygo suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, along with a tear of the lateral meniscus, an injury confirmed by the club’s medical staff after tests following the La Liga match against Getafe.

Rodrygo had entered the game as a substitute and was involved in a challenge near the touchline when the injury occurred. Reports indicate his knee twisted while his foot was planted, a movement pattern commonly linked to ACL injuries in football.

The ACL is one of the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee. It connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helps control forward movement and rotation of the lower leg. When the knee experiences sudden twisting or rotational force, the ligament can tear.

In football, ACL injuries often occur during high-intensity actions rather than direct contact. Typical situations include sudden changes of direction, abrupt deceleration after sprinting, awkward landings after jumps, or rotational stress when a player’s body turns while the foot remains fixed on the ground. In some cases, the knee also collapses slightly inward during the movement, placing additional strain on the joint.

These forces can generate more rotational stress than the ligament can withstand, leading to a rupture. In Rodrygo’s case, the planted foot and twisting motion during the challenge likely caused the ligament to tear. The lateral meniscus, a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint, appears to have been damaged in the same movement.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo sits on the pitch clutching his right knee after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn lateral meniscus during a La Liga match against Getafe, an injury expected to sideline him for several months. (Illustration: Pitchside )

The meniscus functions as a shock absorber between the femur and tibia. When the ACL tears, the knee becomes unstable, and the same twisting force can damage this cartilage. Combined ACL and meniscus injuries are common in football and typically require surgery.

Recovery from this type of injury generally involves ACL reconstruction followed by an extended rehabilitation process. Elite footballers usually face recovery timelines of seven to ten months, although some cases can extend closer to twelve months depending on surgical outcomes and rehabilitation progress.

Rehabilitation typically includes surgery, gradual strengthening of the knee, controlled running programs, and a progressive return to football-specific movements before full clearance for match play.

Early projections suggest Rodrygo could be sidelined for roughly eight months or more. The injury rules him out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season with Real Madrid and is expected to prevent him from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. A realistic return window would likely target preseason or the early stages of the 2026–27 campaign.

ACL injuries are among the most difficult setbacks in professional football, both physically and mentally. However, modern surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols have significantly improved recovery outcomes, and many players have returned to top form after similar injuries. Rodrygo now begins the rehabilitation process with the goal of returning to competition at full strength.