Manchester City confirm: Rodri's return date unknown

An unexpected health development has followed one of the World Cup's biggest success stories. Manchester City have confirmed Rodri will undergo surgery on a back injury, with no timeline yet set for his return. According to The Athletic's Sam Lee and Guillermo Rai, the Spain captain, who started all eight matches at the tournament, led his country to the title and was awarded the Golden Ball.

There are mixed signals over the severity of the injury. According to Spanish outlet La Razon, which reported while the tournament was still underway (June 29), this "minor back issue" had not prevented him from training with his teammates; the surgery was said to be an outpatient procedure that could be completed in under 15 minutes, requiring no lengthy recovery.

Rodri's last two seasons had already been rather turbulent. Having missed almost the entirety of the 2024-25 season due to a torn ACL suffered in September 2024, the midfielder battled hamstring and groin injuries last season, starting just 17 of City's 30 Premier League matches.

This injury has also reignited speculation over his club future. With just one year remaining on his Manchester City contract and reportedly showing no willingness to extend his stay, Rodri has previously expressed a desire to return to Real Madrid. According to transfer expert Matteo Moretto, while the player has given Real Madrid the green light, the Spanish giants are only willing to pay up to €60 million given his recent injury history.

City had already taken precautions on this front. The club's £116 million summer signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest is expected to help soften the blow of Rodri's potential absence; City open their new season at home against Bournemouth on August 23.

Rodri touched on his difficult journey in comments made after the final: "Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness. I said to the lads before the game, 'we have to go for the game.' We need to face them, we have to look to their eyes. We want this game. And then life gives you the World Cup or not, but we were brave and I was brave in that moment I was down, so I want to thank all the people that helped me. But I want to thank myself, to be honest, in those moments."

Source: The Athletic
Image: Sharq Al-Awsat