Rodrygo touches the ball for the first time since knee injury

Rodrygo Goes took another step forward in his long recovery on Monday. The Brazilian attacker, out since early March with a serious right knee injury, touched the ball for the first time at the club's Valdebebas training complex. The winger shared the news with his supporters through social media, where he sounded optimistic about the progress of his return to full fitness.

• Rodrygo completed his first ball work at Valdebebas.
• The Brazilian tore his ACL and lateral meniscus on March 3.
• He underwent surgery one week after the injury.
• The plan is for him to be available for the decisive part of the season under José Mourinho.
• Typical recovery time for this injury ranges from 10 months to a year.

First contact with the ball for Rodrygo at Valdebebas

Real Madrid's training ground delivered an image that the fans have been waiting for this week. Rodrygo stepped onto the pitch with the ball as the main focus of his session. The player paired the pictures published on his profiles with a message for his followers: he feels good and wanted to wish everybody a pleasant week.

This step is especially significant because it comes just weeks after the forward began working on grass. In early September, the winger had already shared that he was starting running and field exercises. Now, with the ball back in the picture, there is confirmation that the knee is responding properly to more demanding workloads.

The serious knee injury that stopped Rodrygo

The origin of this lengthy layoff dates back to March 3, in a La Liga match against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabéu. Rodrygo, who had come off the bench, suffered an unfortunate action that seriously damaged his right knee. Despite the pain, he managed to stay on the pitch until the final whistle.

Subsequent medical tests confirmed the worst possible scenario: a torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus. The Brazil international went under the knife one week later and has been in a rehabilitation process that will still last for months.

How long until Rodrygo returns to action

The timelines for an injury of this nature are extended. The usual return-to-play periods at the highest level range from ten to twelve months after surgery. That means the Brazilian attacker still has several weeks of work ahead before he can rejoin the group at full speed.

The club and the player are working toward a realistic goal: arriving in good condition for the decisive stretch of the season. The coaching staff does not want to take unnecessary risks and has ruled out accelerating the process. The progression has been designed so that Rodrygo is ready when the campaign enters its most demanding phase.

The recovery plan designed by Real Madrid and Mourinho

José Mourinho, the Real Madrid head coach, has a specific plan to bring the Brazilian back into the fold. The Portuguese coach and the club's medical services have mapped out a phased roadmap: first gym work, then running on grass, and now the football has returned. The next step will be taking part in parts of the group dynamic with his teammates.

Until that time comes, Rodrygo continues with a daily routine at Valdebebas that combines strength, mobility and technical work. The presence of the ball this week is a clear sign that the joint can already tolerate turns and soft contact with the football.

Rodrygo, a key piece in the Real Madrid rotation

Rodrygo's absence has forced Real Madrid to manage their attacking resources throughout the first part of the campaign. The Brazilian, who had already shown his ability to decide big matches last season, is a key piece in the first-team rotation. His return, whenever it happens, will bring fresh legs to an attack that needs depth for the busiest part of the schedule.

The Osasco-born forward has accumulated several years at the elite level despite his youth. His versatility to play on both wings and his goalscoring instincts in the biggest fixtures make him a profile that is hard to replace. That is why his full recovery is one of the sporting department's priorities for the second half of the season.

I feel great! I hope you all have a good week.

Frequently asked questions about Rodrygo's injury