2 min read
Football Insider

Real Madrid Star Rodrygo Faces Double Blow: Hamstring Injury Follows Champions League Suspension

Real Madrid's Rodrygo is set for a stint on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury, compounding his absence due to a Champions League suspension received for his red card in the clash against Benfica. This setback leaves the Brazilian star out of crucial upcoming matches and adds to Real's woes.

Real Madrid Star Rodrygo Faces Double Blow: Hamstring Injury Follows Champions League Suspension

Real Madrid star Rodrygo has sustained a hamstring injury and faces a period on the sidelines, in the wake of his Champions League suspension. The Brazil international was shown a red card during their 4-2 defeat to Benfica and will subsequently be absent from the rematch between the two sides.Real have confirmed that Rodrygo has sustained a hamstring injury in his right leg and now faces a spell on the sidelines. The winger is set to be out for around 10 days and would usually be able to return for the clash with Benfica in Lisbon, with the two sides set to renew hostilities after the Portuguese side beat them 4-2 to qualify for the play-offs after the league phase. Rodrygo will subsequently miss games against Valencia and Real Sociedad, but could return against Osasuna on February 21.According to Marca, UEFA has handed Rodrygo a two-match ban, ruling him out of both legs of the Champions League knockout play-off round. The European governing body cited the use of "insulting and abusive language" directed at the match officials as the reason for the increased sanction.“Yesterday I got carried away in the moment when complaining about wasted time. It’s not my way of doing things,” Rodrygo wrote on social media the following day.“I had never been sent off playing with Real Madrid and I am aware of the consequences. I apologise to the fans, the club, my team-mates, and the coach. We will continue united and fighting for this badge and for this Champions League!”Real now face a crisis when it comes to availability of key stars. Raul Asencio, the young defender, is also suspended after collecting two yellow cards in the Benfica game, while they will also be without England superstar Jude Bellingham. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has sustained a hamstring tear, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy are all expected to return to the squad within the next two weeks.Vinicius Junior is also absent from Real's next game due to a suspension of his own. Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Arbeloa has been in charge at Real since January 12, with the club going on to lose to second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey and Benfica in the Champions League. They have also beaten Levante, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, as well as Monaco in Europe's elite club competition. Speaking after the defeat to Benfica, he said: "I do not regret any message I delivered because it reflects what I believe in. If your conclusion is that today's match was like this because the front players did not run enough, I completely disagree with you."He added: "Clearly, today we were far from where we wanted to be, far from the difficulty of the match, from the opponent's requirements, from the atmosphere, and from what they were playing for, and what we were playing for. I think we weren't able to rise to the level we needed throughout the 90 minutes."He added: "Before we came here, we knew we had a lot of work ahead of us, a lot to improve, and we are fully aware that there is still a lot to be done. To win this type of match, you have to do many things right, not just one thing, and you have to do them for the full 90 minutes."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingReal play Valencia on Saturday as they look to overhaul Barca at the top of La Liga. Their first leg against Benfica takes place on February 17 in Portugal, while the second leg is at the Bernabeu on February 25. Benfica staged a remarkable comeback to beat Los Blancos and punch their ticket to the upcoming fixture, thanks to goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's last-minute header.

1

Rodrygo's Dual Setback

Real Madrid's Rodrygo faces a double blow as he suffers a hamstring injury in addition to a Champions League suspension following his red card against Benfica. The winger will miss crucial upcoming games, adding to Real's challenges.

2

Champions League Suspension & Apology

UEFA has handed Rodrygo a two-match ban for 'insulting and abusive language' towards match officials during the game against Benfica. Rodrygo publicly apologized for his actions, acknowledging the consequences of his dismissal.

3

Real's Availability Concerns

Real Madrid faces a crisis in player availability as key figures like Raul Asencio and Jude Bellingham are also sidelined. Despite challenges, the return of other players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger is expected to bolster the squad.

4

Real's Recent Performances

Under Arbeloa's management, Real Madrid has faced mixed results, including defeats to Albacete and Benfica. The team looks to bounce back in upcoming fixtures against Valencia in La Liga and Benfica in the Champions League play-offs.

5

Upcoming Fixtures & Challenges

Real Madrid faces a tough schedule with matches against Valencia and Benfica on the horizon. The team aims to regroup and perform better following recent setbacks, striving for success in both domestic and European competitions.

6

Looking Ahead

Real Madrid must navigate through adversity with key players missing due to suspensions and injuries. The club's resilience and ability to adapt in challenging circumstances will be crucial in maintaining competitiveness across different competitions.

Published on Feb 6, 2026