Manchester City have confirmed that Spain midfielder Rodri has sustained a knee ligament injury following a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey during their Premier League clash on Sunday.
Rodri, a key player for City, was substituted in the 21st minute after twisting his knee during a corner set-piece.
While the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed that the 28-year-old is expected to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Speaking after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Watford, Guardiola said, “Still we don’t have the definitive [diagnosis], but he will be out for a long time – a while. But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected.”
He added, “We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get. We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly.”
Rodri has traveled to Spain to consult a specialist following initial tests in Manchester. Guardiola has described him as “irreplaceable,” citing his critical role in the team’s recent success. Manchester City have not lost any of their last 48 Premier League matches when Rodri has started.
However, his absence has proven difficult for the team in the past. Last season, City were beaten in four out of the five matches Rodri missed. Additionally, Rodri has lost just once in 50 appearances across all competitions for both City and Spain.
Rodri was instrumental in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, where he was named Player of the Tournament. His stellar performances have also made him a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, awarded to the world’s best player, next month.
The former Atletico Madrid star, who played 63 matches for Manchester City and Spain last season, recently raised concerns about the increasing number of games in the football calendar, with expanded tournaments like the Champions League and Club World Cup. He hinted that players are “close to” striking over the physical toll it takes.
City will now have to find a solution to cope with Rodri’s absence as they await further updates on his condition.