Real Madrid suffer Rodrygo setback for upcoming matches: he could be sidelined for two weeks
Álvaro Arbeloa’s side will be unable to rely on the winger for the upcoming clash against Valencia.
Real Madrid has been blindsided by devastating news during one of the most grueling stretches of the 2026 calendar. Rodrygo Goes is not just dealing with "simple muscle fatigue"; exhaustive medical tests have confirmed that the Brazilian attacker is suffering from tendonitis in his right hamstring. This diagnosis is a "stop or break" scenario that has forced the club’s medical staff to sideline the star immediately.
While the club officially estimates a 10-day recovery period, sources close to the dressing room suggest a more realistic 14-day absence is required to prevent a long-term tear.
The Return Policy: No Risks Allowed
The technical staff’s philosophy is clear: zero risks. Rodrygo is officially ruled out for the next fixture, and his availability for the high-stakes clash against Real Sociedad is currently "in the air." The medical goal is to have him at 100% capacity for the match at El Sadar against Osasuna.
The warning signs were already there. Rodrygo had been struggling through a disrupted training week and only managed a brief, ineffective cameo against Rayo Vallecano. It was a clear signal that his body was reaching a breaking point, and the decision to stop now likely saved him from a season-ending surgery.
The Saudi Arabian Catalyst
The root of the problem stretches back to the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. During the semifinals, Rodrygo pushed his physical limits to ensure a victory, a decision that has now proven to be a costly mistake.
Since returning from the Middle East, his involvement has been a shadow of its former self. Between the match at the Estádio da Luz and the last league fixture, he has barely clocked 50 minutes of football. Those fifty minutes were enough to confirm the worst: the "ghost" of his hamstring issue had become a clinical reality. The protocol is now rigid: total rest, targeted physical therapy, and no return until he is completely pain-free.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Puzzle: The Empty Frontline
Rodrygo’s absence deepens a crisis that was already reaching a boiling point for Carlo Ancelotti. The timing could not be worse for the trip to Mestalla to face Valencia:
- Vinícius Júnior: Sidelined due to a yellow card suspension.
- Jude Bellingham: Still in the final stages of his own injury rehabilitation.
- Rodrygo Goes: Out with hamstring tendonitis.
This leaves Real Madrid essentially "hollowed out" in their primary attacking positions. Ancelotti is now forced to "scratch his head" and reinvent the wheel. We are likely to see Kylian Mbappé shifted from his central role toward the wing, the inclusion of Brahim Díaz from the opening whistle, or even a drastic tactical shift to a 4-4-2 diamond to compensate for the lack of natural width.
The Road to Mestalla
Real Madrid will arrive at one of the most hostile stadiums in Spain with a severely conditioned squad. The pressure is on the secondary cast to step up and prove their "Galáctico" worth. Meanwhile, Rodrygo begins a 14-day countdown, hoping to finally close a frustrating chapter of physical setbacks that has prevented him from finding the rhythm he needs in this 2026 season.
