Cristiano Ronaldo hugged Rodrygo after Portugal and Colombia drew 0-0 on June 28 and asked him whether he felt better. The exchange came after a World Cup 2026 match and put Rodrygo’s recovery back in view as he works toward a return later in the year.
Ronaldo and Rodrygo
Ronaldo’s first words were direct: “¿Te sientes mejor?” Rodrygo answered, “Han pasado seis meses. Sigue siendo un poco molesto y aburrido, pero todo está bien,” which matched the state of his recovery after a serious knee injury earlier this year.
The conversation stayed short, but it was not casual. Ronaldo followed with, “Tienes que tener paciencia. Todo saldrá bien,” and Rodrygo replied, “De acuerdo, gracias,” before Ronaldo closed with, “Buena suerte.”
Rodrygo’s six-month recovery
Six months into the injury, Rodrygo is still dealing with the aftermath. The source says the knee problem is serious enough that he will not be available for World Cup 2026, and his recovery will probably keep him out until the end of the year.
That leaves the Brazilian forward in a long hold pattern even after he told Ronaldo the situation is improving. The detail from him is more specific than a routine injury update: the knee has been bothering him for six months, and the timeline points to a return only after the year has nearly run out.
Portugal before Croatia
Ronaldo, the 41-year-old captain of Portugal, was already moving on with his own schedule and preparing with Portugal for an October 3 match against Croatia. The same veteran who had just checked on Rodrygo’s health was back in team mode, with one match behind him and another ahead.
For Rodrygo, the immediate takeaway is simpler and harsher. He has the support of one of the game’s most experienced figures, but his return path still runs past the World Cup 2026 and likely all the way to the end of the year.
