According to Spanish media reports, Real Madrid had hoped Rodrygo would increase his value at the World Cup so that he could be sold to the Premier League. However, the player has now suffered a serious injury.
Reports state that Rodrygo was planning to leave Real Madrid this summer, which was also in line with Florentino Pérez’s vision. According to previous reports, Rodrygo and his father held in-depth talks with a top-tier agent to facilitate his move to the Premier League.
Rodrygo’s plan was to feature in the World Cup, and Ancelotti also had full trust in him. Real Madrid believed Rodrygo could raise his transfer value at the tournament, as his valuation had dropped to €60 million.
In the summer of 2025, Florentino Pérez valued him at €100 million and remained uncompromising throughout the transfer window, refusing to negotiate any price reduction. The president had hoped to generate a similar fee from a transfer this year, even with easily achievable add-on clauses. The player himself was aware of this.
However, Rodrygo has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and a ruptured lateral meniscus, ruling him out for the season and the World Cup. All signs now indicate Neymar will replace him.
Based on current recovery protocols for such injuries, Rodrygo is likely to be sidelined until early 2027. This means his potential departure will be delayed until next summer’s transfer window, when only one year will remain on his current contract.
