Manchester City midfielder Rodri has undergone back surgery and will be sidelined for a short period of rehabilitation. The operation comes after Rodri, who has a year left on his contract, had been feeling discomfort for some time.
Rodri's Injury History
Rodri's past two seasons have been heavily disrupted by injury, and he missed most of City's 2024-25 campaign with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. This latest setback will likely extend his recovery time, but Manchester City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, remains optimistic about the midfielder's return to action. Maresca said on Friday that Rodri "needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us."
Community Shield and Premier League Uncertainty
City face Arsenal in the Community Shield on 16 August before their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on 23 August. The exact timeline for Rodri's return remains unclear, but his absence will undoubtedly impact Manchester City's performance in these upcoming matches. With Rodri's injury history, fans and coaches alike will be anxiously watching his recovery progress.
Josko Gvardiol Signs New Deal
Meanwhile, as reported by BBC Sport in June, defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2031. The 24-year-old Croatia international has made 122 appearances for City since joining from RB Leipzig in August 2023, winning six trophies, including the Premier League in his debut campaign. Gvardiol's commitment to the team provides a much-needed boost to Manchester City's defense, but the loss of Rodri will be a significant challenge to overcome.
Uncertainty Ahead
The extent of Rodri's recovery time remains unknown, but his injury history suggests that this latest setback will be a significant challenge for the midfielder. As Manchester City prepares for the upcoming Community Shield and Premier League matches, fans will be eagerly awaiting news on Rodri's return to action. With the team's performance in these matches hanging in the balance, Rodri's recovery will be a closely watched story in the coming weeks.
Source: Joy Online
