Rodrygo of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Real Madrid have made a signing to add to their squad’s attacking firepower this summer, bringing in Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Los Blancos shelled out a massive €140 million to bring the 19-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.
Jose Mourinho now has a star-studded front three in the form of Kylian Mbappe, Diomande and Vinicius Junior.
However, Real Madrid must also remember that they have yet another superstar in their ranks who is currently recovering from an injury.
Rodrygo has been sidelined since 18 March 2026 after suffering a serious knee injury involving both his ACL and meniscus.
Rodrygo still far away from a return to action
Now, according to Arancha Rodriguez, Los Blancos are expected to be without the Brazilian forward for several more months, with a return likely in early 2027.
The initial recovery timeline for the Brazilian was estimated at between 10 and 12 months, meaning Real Madrid are unlikely to have him available during the first half of the new season.
Rodrygo of Real Madrid
Rodrygo won’t be back until early 2027. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Given the severity of the injury, Madrid will naturally have little reason to accelerate his rehabilitation.
Recovering from an ACL injury is already a lengthy process, while the additional meniscus damage makes careful management even more important.
The priority will be ensuring Rodrygo returns fully prepared rather than simply getting him back onto the pitch as quickly as possible.
Mourinho must plan without Rodrygo
For Jose Mourinho, the situation effectively means constructing his attacking plans without Rodrygo for the opening months of the campaign.
Despite having significant depth in the forward line, Rodrygo is as versatile as they come and could have had a useful role to play had he been fit.
The 25-year-old can operate on either flank, centrally or behind the striker, giving a coach several ways of changing the shape of an attack during matches.
Patience will be paramount
Rodrygo, Real Madrid player
Rodrygo is recovering from a knee injury. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Even an early 2027 return would not necessarily mean Rodrygo immediately returning to his previous level.
After potentially spending close to a year without competitive football, rebuilding rhythm, confidence and sharpness could take additional time.
This might have been one of the main reasons Florentino Perez sanctioned a move for a new superstar attacker this summer.
Mourinho will be intent on not putting too much pressure on Rodrygo during his recovery and easing him back in once he is available.
Once Rodrygo returns to action and slowly gets back to 100%, it remains to be seen how the attacking dynamics at Madrid shape up.
For now, it is important that the Brazilian focuses on his recovery and returns to action without any further setbacks in the coming months.
Real Madrid change plan for grand unveiling of Jose Mourinho and summer signings
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images
Real Madrid have had a blockbuster summer transfer window so far, bringing in the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande and Carlos Espi.
More importantly, the club signed Jose Mourinho as their new manager, with the Portuguese tactician returning for his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid are yet to present their signings this summer, and it was being reported that Los Blancos could present all six of them together with Jose next week.
However, now, according to Rodra, reporting for ESPN Deportes, the plans surrounding the presentation seem to have changed.
Separate presentation now expected
Madrid are currently planning to present their new arrivals next week, with the expectation that the players will be unveiled individually.
Mourinho will also receive his own official presentation.
Presenting all six and the manager together at the Santiago Bernabeu would have been like presenting the faces of their new project in one grand unveiling.
However, it looks like the Spanish club are leaning towards a more traditional approach.
Ibrahima Konate and Marc Cucurella, Real Madrid player
Real Madrid’s new signings will be presented individually. (Picture credit: X/@realmadrid)
Each new signing is expected, in principle, to have a separate presentation next week rather than sharing the stage with the rest of the summer arrivals.
For each individual player, it would be a massive moment to soak in the Bernabeu atmosphere and get the feeling of being a Madrid player in its fullest sense.
Madrid have transformed Jose Mourinho’s squad
Real Madrid have undertaken a significant squad rebuild this summer, bringing several new faces into Mourinho’s team as the Portuguese coach begins his second spell in charge.
Most of them have already joined Mourinho’s team and taken part in pre-season games, but with the La Liga season opener a week away, the presentations this week would be a nice curtain-raiser.
Among the players Madrid signed, the likes of Diomande, Silva and Cucurella are likely to be guaranteed starters for Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Espi, Dumfries and Konate could have key squad roles to play even if they are not always guaranteed starters.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Mourinho will have a presentation too. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Most importantly, Los Blancos have managed to increase the squad depth and raise the floor of several positions in their squad with these signings.
There could be more signings to come
The encouraging part for Madrid fans is that their club may not yet be done with their summer transfer window business.
Los Blancos missed out on signing Rodri from Manchester City this summer and could turn their attention to another midfielder.
Adam Wharton and Kees Smit are names that have been mentioned in recent days, while Jose could also try to secure another central defensive signing.
There is also the possibility that Madrid decide to keep the current squad as it is and see where Mourinho takes them by January before re-evaluating their transfer plans.
It remains to be seen how the presentations next week play out and whether Madrid make any more signings before the end of the transfer window.