Manchester City midfielder Rodri will be absent for the opening phase of the new campaign after undergoing back surgery, with the club expecting only a short spell of rehabilitation before his return.
New City manager Enzo Maresca revealed on Friday that the Spain international would go under the knife on Monday and stressed the priority was allowing the player time to fully recover following a gruelling year for club and country.
“He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us,” Maresca said, confirming that no precise comeback date has yet been agreed.
In a statement, Manchester City said the 28-year-old had “been feeling discomfort for some time but has now undergone a procedure to address the issue”. The club did not disclose further medical details but described the expected lay-off as a “short period of rehabilitation”.
Rodri, who has 12 months remaining on his current contract, has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with Real Madrid strongly linked with a move for the midfielder. The interest has grown after he captained Spain to World Cup success this month and was named player of the tournament.
The surgery means Rodri is set to miss at least part of City’s preparations for the new season. The Premier League champions face Arsenal in the Community Shield on 16 August before beginning their title defence against Bournemouth on 23 August.
City have not indicated whether they expect Rodri to feature in either of those fixtures, maintaining that his schedule will be dictated by his recovery.
Injuries have significantly interrupted Rodri’s recent club campaigns. Over the past two seasons he has endured multiple fitness setbacks and was sidelined for the majority of Manchester City’s 2024-25 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Despite those problems, he has remained a key figure for both club and country when available, anchoring City’s midfield during their period of domestic and European success and emerging as Spain’s standout performer at the World Cup.
Gvardiol commits future to City
While Rodri faces time out, Manchester City have moved to secure the long-term future of defender Josko Gvardiol.
As reported by BBC Sport in June, the Croatia international has signed a new five-year contract, extending his stay at Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2031.
Gvardiol, 24, joined City from RB Leipzig in August 2023 and has since made 122 appearances for the club. During that spell he has collected six trophies, including the Premier League title in his debut season under Pep Guardiola.
The left-sided defender’s renewed deal underlines City’s intention to retain the core of their squad, even as the club navigates uncertainty over Rodri’s future amid interest from Real Madrid and manages the midfielder’s current injury setback.
