Rodri to undergo back surgery, potentially missing start of Premier League season
Manchester City midfielder Rodri is scheduled for minor back surgery, an event that could lead to him missing the beginning of the Premier League season. The 30-year-old recently captained Spain to a World Cup victory, where he was awarded the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament.
The surgery follows a period of injury setbacks for Rodri. In September 2024, he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which limited him to only three Premier League appearances during the 2024/25 season. Further injury issues restricted him to 21 top-flight matches last term. Details regarding the nature of his current back injury and the expected recovery period have not been publicly disclosed.
While Rodri was not anticipated to participate in the Community Shield match against Arsenal due to his World Cup commitments, his availability for City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 23 is now uncertain. Following this, City’s schedule includes matches against Crystal Palace (away), Coventry (home), Manchester United (away), and Sunderland (home) before the September international break.
Contract Situation and Transfer Speculation
Rodri has one year remaining on his current contract with Manchester City. He has been linked with a potential transfer to Real Madrid, with reports suggesting his interest in a move to the Bernabéu. However, Real Madrid is not expected to pursue the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, primarily due to concerns about his physical reliability and availability.
Real Madrid officials have reportedly grown frustrated with repeated claims of a possible move and have privately contacted Manchester City to confirm they will not be making a bid for Rodri. The club’s reluctance is partly influenced by his injury history, including the significant knee injury in September 2024.
Manchester City, under new boss Enzo Maresca, is keen to retain Rodri and has reportedly offered him a new contract. As of now, no agreement has been reached, and Rodri is not believed to have expressed interest in signing an extension. With one year left on his contract, Rodri is in a strong negotiating position.
Potential Future Implications
Should Rodri decline City’s offer for an extension, the club would face a decision: either reduce their asking price for an immediate sale or risk losing the midfielder on a free transfer at the end of the 2026–27 season. The prospect of acquiring Rodri on a free transfer next summer could be more appealing to clubs like Real Madrid, given their history of securing players without transfer fees.
Rodri’s situation is further complicated by the lack of specific information regarding his recovery timeline. The comparison to Arsenal center-back William Saliba, who is also sidelined with a back problem but does not require surgery, highlights the varying nature of such injuries. The full extent of Rodri’s absence and its impact on his club future will become clearer over time.
Rodri’s comments to Fox Sports after the World Cup highlighted the personal challenges he faced. He stated, “I cannot express with words. I think now we’re like in a cloud but, for me, it’s been a very tough time.” He also mentioned telling his teammates before the final, “we have to go for the game. We need to face them, we have to look to their eyes. We want this game.”
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Source: skysports.com
