Real Madrid's Rodrygo could miss three months with hamstring injury

Real Madrid have confirmed that teenage winger Rodrygo has suffered a hamstring injury in the wake of the Brazilian being stretchered off in the recent win over Granada.

Real have offered no time-frame as to when he might be fit enough to return, but other reports estimate Rodrygo could be out of action for as long as three months.

The former Santos prodigy was given the nod to start against Granada ahead of fellow countryman Vinicius Jr. for the second consecutive game, having registered an assist in his previous appearance in a win over Eibar a few days earlier.

But Rodrygo lasted only 38 minutes of the Granada contest before being withdrawn, unable to leave the pitch of his own accord and carried off by medics on a stretcher.

AS claims to have learned it could be a three-month layoff, which would put Rodrygo out of action until late March. That means he will likely not be available by the time Real face Atalanta in the Champions League last 16 – the tie concludes on 16 March 2021.

It is a blow for Real coach Zinedine Zidane at a time when Los Blancos were building some positive momentum following a stop-start period when results were often disappointing.

Although Rodrygo hasn’t generally been a regular starter, he has offered a good rotation option for depth, especially with Real still not able to rely on Eden Hazard.

Hazard is still yet to make his comeback from his latest injury setback, but he was at least on the bench against Granada. He has played only three times in La Liga all season because of different fitness issues and has scored just three goals for Real since his €100m transfer from Chelsea.

The 29-year-old could make his first appearance in a month when Real face Elche in their next game.

For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!