Neymar’s Message to Rodrygo After His Injury That Rules Him Out of the 2026 World Cup

The football world has been rocked by the devastating news regarding Rodrygo Goes. The Real Madrid star has been diagnosed with a torn ACL and external meniscus in his right leg, an injury that ends his season and officially rules him out of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

At 25, the forward faces the heartbreaking reality of missing his second World Cup. The news has deeply affected fans and teammates alike, especially Neymar Jr., who shared his own pain and perspective on a tragedy he knows all too well.

The 33-year-old Santos icon took to Instagram to offer words of comfort to Rodrygo. Having suffered the exact same injury in 2023 during a World Cup Qualifier against Uruguay, Neymar understands the psychological toll of such a diagnosis.

“Today is one of my saddest days. When I found out about the injury, a movie played in my head. All the suffering, all the anguish and the fear of going through this injury again. My number 10, my boy, my heir (as I call you), I only ask you one thing… ‘Take care of your mind.’ Now is the time to keep everyone you love around you… And as you said, you shouldn’t have to go through this right now… But who are we to question God’s plan,” Neymar wrote.

Despite the crushing blow, the Real Madrid winger expressed his feelings on his own social media channels. While he confirmed he will miss the remainder of the European season and the World Cup, he vowed to support the Seleção from the sidelines in the United States this summer.

“One of the worst days of my life. I had always feared this injury… maybe life has been a little cruel to me lately… I don’t know if I deserve it, but what can I complain about? I’ve lived so many wonderful things that I didn’t deserve either. A huge obstacle has appeared in my life, in my career, and it keeps me from doing what I love most for a while. I’m out for the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country — a dream everyone knows means so much to me. All I can do now is stay strong as always; that’s nothing new for me. Thank you all for the prayers, the messages and the love! You are so important to me. Even though this is a very difficult moment, I promise I won’t stop here. I believe I still have many incredible things to experience and to make happy everyone who trusts in me. It’s just a see you soon… God is still in control of everything,” Rodrygo shared.

The road to recovery for a combined ACL and meniscus injury is grueling. Early estimates suggest Rodrygo will be sidelined for approximately 10 months. This timeline effectively concludes his 2025/26 campaign and places his competitive return at the start of 2027.

As Brazil prepares for the world stage without one of its most clinical finishers, the focus turns to how the squad will adapt and how the "heir" will navigate the mental battle of rehabilitation.