Brazilian international Rodrygo has confirmed he will travel to the United States to support his national team, the Seleção, at the upcoming World Cup, despite the profound disappointment of being unable to play. The Real Madrid forward sustained a knee injury in March that ultimately ruled him out of contention for the tournament, a setback he described as taking away a dream he had dedicated his life to.
The 25-year-old revealed he will continue his daily treatment for the injury while immersing himself in the World Cup atmosphere. Rodrygo, who played a significant role in Brazil's qualifying campaign and featured in the Copa América, articulated the immense sadness and physical suffering he experienced following the injury and subsequent surgery. He recounted sleepless nights and considerable pain, but also an emerging inner strength and a determination to recover and pursue his World Cup dream in the future.
Rodrygo's last World Cup experience ended in heartbreak in 2022 when his penalty was saved by Croatia's Dominik Livakovic, leading to Brazil's quarter-final elimination. He stated that returning to the tournament in the national team jersey had been a dominant desire since that moment. The path over the last four years, he noted, had been fraught with challenges for players, coaches, staff, and fans alike, making his pre-tournament injury even more devastating.
The Real Madrid star also reflected on the difficulty of watching his club's crucial matches from the sidelines during the latter part of their season. Similarly, hearing the World Cup squad announcement without the expectation of his name being called by head coach Carlo Ancelotti was a tough experience. Despite this, Rodrygo expressed unwavering pride in representing Brazil and Real Madrid, finding solace in the support received from his club, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), national team staff, teammates, family, and fans.
Looking ahead, Rodrygo remains optimistic about his future career, stating he believes he still has incredible experiences ahead and can bring joy to supporters of both club and country. He emphasised his youth and the many important dreams he still intends to pursue, highlighting the need for strength and dedication, qualities he believes he has demonstrated throughout his life.