Rodrygo shortens deadlines

The first training session in February brought good news to the Madrid squad. Upon Zidane's return to direct training, he was unexpectedly joined the presence of Rodrygo Goes. The young Brazilian player was injured against Granada (2-0), in the penultimate match of 2020, held at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium, on December 23. 41 days ago.

The injury of the young Brazilian was fortuitous: minute 35 of the game was passing, when he escaped on the left side of the Madrid attack. Foulquier, a Nasrid right-back, pushed him out of the area, but the former Santos fell inside. As soon as he fell, he felt a sting in the back of his right thigh. He had to be removed on a stretcher, immobilized, while the player left with obvious gestures of pain. Two days later, after undergoing various medical tests, He was diagnosed with a muscle injury with tendon involvement in the right biceps femoris: there was no date for his return, but he was estimated to be out of work for three months, until the end of March. What the Brazilian attacker suffered is a “treacherous” injury, according to medical experts: the muscle appears to be recovered, but at the slightest effort it breaks again, lengthening the recovery period.

From the first moment, Rodrygo put himself in the hands of the Madrid team's medical services: rest and recovery work with physiotherapy were the first treatments. As time has passed and the improvement has passed, the Brazilian got down to work with his physical trainer: in the mornings he went to Valdebebas, in the afternoons, he worked at home. The end, to be fully recovered and available for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 (scheduled for March 16). Depending on his surroundings, in about two weeks he could return to training with the rest of his teammates. But in the club they don't see it so clearly.

Rodrygo had earned a place in Zidane's starting eleven: his impudence, his speed, his verticality, his association with Benzema in the white attack, had led him to notably cover up Hazard's absence. That injury against Granada slowed his progression, and incidentally, it was something that the team has noticed during his absence: only two victories (Celta and Alavés in the League) in the last seven games, with three defeats (Athletic in the Super Cup, Alcoyano in the Cup and Levante in the League) and another two draws. The player wants to return as soon as possible, and more in the final stretch of the season. At the Madrid club they prefer to slow down with him. But Rodrygo has already started his return to competition. 41 days after being injured.