Manchester City confirm Rodri's knee ligament injury
Manchester City have confirmed that Spanish midfielder Rodri suffered a knee ligament injury during their Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday. The 28-year-old was forced off the pitch in the 21st minute after a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey at a corner, resulting in a twisted knee.
Rodri has traveled to Spain to seek specialist treatment following initial assessments in Manchester, as City boss Pep Guardiola awaits a final diagnosis. Speaking after City’s Carabao Cup victory over Watford, Guardiola hinted at a lengthy recovery period for the influential midfielder.
“We still don’t have the definitive, but it looks like Rodri will be out for a while,” Guardiola revealed. “There’s a chance it could be less serious than we first thought, but we’re waiting for confirmation.”
The absence of Rodri poses a significant challenge for City. The former Atlético Madrid star is regarded as one of the most pivotal players in Guardiola’s setup, with City unbeaten in the last 48 Premier League matches he started. His impact was also felt on the international stage, where he was named the Player of the Tournament as Spain won Euro 2024 this summer.
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City struggled in the past without Rodri, losing four out of five games when he was absent last season. His reliability is underlined by the fact he has lost only one of his last 50 appearances across all competitions.
Rodri, who made 63 appearances for club and country last season, is a top contender for the upcoming Ballon d’Or, following his critical contributions to City’s treble-winning campaign and Spain’s European triumph. The midfielder recently expressed concerns over the growing demands on players, speaking out against the expanding fixture list, including the new-look Champions League and Club World Cup.
Guardiola now faces the tough task of restructuring his midfield in Rodri’s absence. City’s upcoming fixtures will test their depth as they aim to maintain their domestic and European dominance.
