The injury occurred during the match when Mendoza suffered a heavy blow to his right ankle while challenging for the ball. The midfielder was unable to continue and was forced to leave the pitch at half-time, immediately raising concerns among the coaching staff and the club’s medical team.
The update was confirmed by Atlético Madrid through a statement posted on their official X account, while further medical examinations were carried out on Sunday to determine the extent of the problem.
Atlético stated:
Rodrigo Mendoza suffers moderate ankle sprain. Get well soon, Rodri You’ll come back stronger!
Softfootball gathered that tests later confirmed Mendoza is suffering from a moderate-grade sprain in his right ankle. According to the club’s medical report, the midfielder will now begin a recovery programme that includes physiotherapy sessions and rehabilitation work in the gym.
His return to action will depend on how the injury responds to treatment, with the medical team set to monitor his progress closely in the coming weeks.
The setback represents a significant blow for Atlético head coach Diego Simeone at an important stage of the season. Mendoza has been an important midfield option for the team and his absence could affect squad depth during a busy run of fixtures.
The incident occurred following a collision with Ander Barrenetxea, after which Mendoza was seen leaving the pitch in visible pain. He was replaced at half-time by Marcos Llorente as Atlético continued the match.
With several crucial fixtures approaching, the club’s medical staff will be working to ensure the Murcia-born midfielder recovers as quickly as possible while avoiding any risk of aggravating the injury.
Elsewhere in La Liga, FC Barcelona have received encouraging news regarding young midfielder Marc Bernal. The teenager avoided a serious injury after experiencing stomach discomfort during the weekend match and is expected to return to full availability next week.
In separate developments involving Barcelona, former manager Xavi Hernández recently claimed that club president Joan Laporta blocked the return of Lionel Messi in 2023. According to Xavi, Messi’s comeback to Camp Nou had already been agreed in principle before Laporta halted the deal due to financial concerns and the potential impact on the club’s wage structure.
