Rodrigo Ely: The model pro whose career has been plagued by injury heartbreak
The Brazilian defender's return to Almería marks another chapter in a career defined by remarkable resilience in the face of three devastating ACL injuries.
A footballer whose determination matches his talent, yet whose body has repeatedly betrayed him when success seemed within reach.
Career derailed by cruel injury luck
Rodrigo Ely’s football journey began promisingly at Grêmio’s academy in his native Brazil before catching AC Milan’s eye as a youngster. However, the Brazilian centre-half’s career trajectory has been repeatedly knocked off course by serious injuries that would have ended many careers.
His Spanish football story began at Deportivo Alavés, where he suffered his first major setback during a 2018 pre-season friendly against Alcorcón. The diagnosis was grim - functional insufficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee - requiring surgery in the States and a six-month rehabilitation period.
Just as Ely had fought back to his best form, disaster struck again in December 2020 during a match against Celta Vigo at Balaídos. This time, it was the ACL in his left knee that gave way, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Finding home at Almería
After five seasons with Alavés, Ely’s career took another twist with a brief, uneventful spell at Nottingham Forest where he failed to make a single appearance before being released in January. Almería, themselves struggling with injuries and able to sign outside the transfer window, took a punt on the defender.
Manager Rubi showed immediate faith in Ely, handing him his debut against Lugo in March despite the Brazilian having not played competitive football for 15 months. The gamble paid off spectacularly:
- Ely quickly established himself as a first-team regular
- He became instrumental in Almería’s promotion to La Liga
- Scored crucial goals against Valladolid, Real Sociedad and Leganés
After helping secure Almería’s top-flight status, Ely requested a transfer back to Brazil to be closer to family and fulfill his dream of playing for Grêmio’s first team.
Third time unlucky
Cruelly, in April 2025, lightning struck a third time when Ely suffered another ACL tear in his left knee, alongside damage to his medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus - his third such devastating injury.
The comeback king returns
Despite these repeated blows that would break most players’ spirits, Ely’s exemplary professionalism has always allowed him to return to his best. He’s now back at Almería on a two-and-a-half year deal and training normally, though still building match fitness after nine months out.
Both the club and Rubi know exactly what they’re getting - a proper leader on and off the pitch. His work ethic is the dog’s dinner, with the Brazilian even putting in extra gym sessions on his days off. Meticulous about his nutrition (he’s cut sugar completely) and with an admirable dedication to his craft, if anyone can bounce back from this latest setback, it’s Rodrigo Ely.