I am travelling to the United States this week to watch some of the Seleção’s games at the World Cup. I’ll be continuing my daily treatment to recover from the knee injury I suffered in March and, during this routine, I’ll try to experience the competition in a different way. While Rodrygo, a boy from Osasco [a city in the state of São Paulo], recognises the privilege this represents, Rodrygo the player, who took part in the entire qualifying cycle, the Copa América and other matches, has feelings that are difficult to explain.Ever since our last World Cup game in 2022, when the Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved my penalty and we were eliminated at the quarter-final stage, returning to the tournament wearing the national team jersey has been a desire that has dominated my thoughts on many nights.The path we have gone down in these past four years has not been easy. All of us – players, coaches, staff, CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) employees, and, of course, the fans – have faced numerous challenges. So to suffer an injury that ruled me out of the tournament just months before the squad was announced was a huge blow, taking away from me a dream to which I have dedicated my life.Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic saves Rodrygo’s penalty in 2022 to send Brazil out of the 2022 World Cup. Photograph: Matthew Childs/ReutersThe injury – and learning the extent of it through the scans – brought immense sadness. The week of the actual surgery brought me suffering, sleepless nights, a lot of pain and the urge to vomit and faint. But soon an inner strength came, a certainty that life goes on and that I will recover and continue pursuing my World Cup dream.Also, one of the worst days of my life transformed into a huge wave of support from so many people. My faith strengthened me too, as did the unconditional presence of my family and the countless messages and conversations with important people in my life. There was incredible support from Real Madrid, calls from the CBF, the national team staff and the players. I am certain I will return stronger, dedicating myself as I have always done to achieve my goals.Being unable to play during the final part of Real Madrid’s season and not taking part at the World Cup with the Seleção is a feeling impossible to explain. Watching Real Madrid’s crucial matches on TV without being able to step on to the pitch and give my all for the club left a bitter taste. And watching the World Cup squad announcement without the expectation of hearing my name called by Carlo Ancelotti was tough.Rodrygo played a big part in Brazil’s progress to the World Cup during qualifiers. Photograph: Silvia Izquierdo/APOn the other hand, the joy I have felt wearing the Real Madrid and Brazil shirts is also pretty impossible to put into words. Even with this setback, I believe I still have incredible experiences ahead of me and that I once again can bring joy to those who support me, whether that is for club or country. I am only 25 years old and still have many important dreams to pursue. And I know that, to do that, I need to be strong, as I’ve always been in other decisive moments of my life.