Manchester City midfielder Rodri has suffered an injury setback and is not likely to be fit for the start of the season, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed.
Rodri missed most of last season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury that he sustained in September 2024, though he managed to return at the very end of the season in City’s penultimate Premier League match against Bournemouth.
The Spain international was deemed fit and featured in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where City were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Al-Hilal.
Rodri came off the bench in that match but was forced off early in extra time with what was reported as a minor groin issue.
The setback comes just days after reports emerged that City are preparing a lucrative new contract offer for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who is understood to be keen to extend his stay at the Etihad.
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When will Rodri be fit?
Speaking ahead of the start of a new Premier League campaign, Guardiola confirmed that Rodri won’t be “really fit” until after the September international break following an injury setback sustained during the Club World Cup.
“Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al-Hilal,” Guardiola said.
“He has trained better in the last few days. Hopefully after the international break, he will be really fit.”
City open their Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 16 before facing Tottenham and Brighton ahead of the September break.
“Hopefully in these games, he can play some minutes, but what is important is that he doesn't have pain because we don't want Rodri coming back injured,” Guardiola added.
“We will try desperately to avoid that. He has been training the last two sessions with us and that's good.”
Rodri being back in training is a welcome bit of good news for City fans, but Guardiola will certainly be looking to manage his minutes carefully in the early stages of the season.
City have also made several midfield additions this summer that should help them cover Rodri’s absence.
In addition to having new skipper Bernardo Silva and veterans Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic, Guardiola also has the added midfield services of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Sverre Nypan to call on.
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