There is a deeply emotional story developing at Real Madrid, away from the noise of matches and transfer news, as Rodrygo continues to go through one of the most difficult periods of his career following the injury that has kept him away from the pitch.
As the Brazilian forward works step by step toward his recovery, José Mourinho has remained aware of the importance of patience and avoiding any unnecessary rush in the player’s return.
Mourinho and Rodrygo — An emotional conversation during his recovery
Rodrygo continues to work on his recovery from a serious injury, while Mourinho understands that the player needs patience and peace of mind above everything else.
In a dramatic imagined conversation between the Portuguese coach and the Brazilian star, the exchange could have gone like this:
Mourinho:
“Rodrygo… I don’t want you thinking about when you’ll return right now. I just want you to tell me every day how you feel.”
Rodrygo:
“I want to come back as soon as possible… I hate watching the team from the outside.”
Mourinho:
“I know. And I know how much it hurts to be away. But believe me, the most important thing now is for you to return healthy, not quickly.”
Rodrygo:
“Do you still count on me?”
Mourinho:
“You shouldn’t even have to ask that question. You are a Real Madrid player, and your job now is to fight for yourself. When you are ready, we will be here.”
“I don’t want you to come back quickly. I want you to come back healthy. And when you are ready, we will be here.”
Those words capture the toughest side of Rodrygo’s current journey. The injury has not only kept him away from matches, but has also forced him to wait while Real Madrid begins a new chapter under Mourinho.
Rodrygo suffered an ACL tear in March 2026 and has since entered a lengthy recovery process, with reports indicating that he still needs more time before returning to action.
With Mourinho back at Real Madrid, managing Rodrygo’s recovery has become part of the coach’s project, especially as Mourinho has stressed the importance of not rushing players back before they are fully ready.
Beyond the exact return date, the priority for Rodrygo is to regain his fitness and confidence before returning to the pitch in a condition that allows him to fight for his place in the team again.
His eventual return could become one of the most emotional moments of Real Madrid’s season, particularly if Rodrygo makes his comeback in front of the Santiago Bernabéu crowd after such a difficult journey.