Manchester City Midfielder Rodri Faces Extended Sideline with Injury Setback

Manchester City’s pivotal midfielder Rodri has suffered a significant injury setback, ruling him out until at least mid-September, according to manager Pep Guardiola. The Spanish star, who sustained the injury during a match against Al-Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup, will miss the early stages of the 2025-26 Premier League season. Guardiola confirmed the update, noting, “Rodri is getting better but had a big injury against Al-Hilal. He’s trained better in recent days, and we hope after the international break he will be really fit.” The cautious approach aims to ensure a pain-free return, avoiding further complications.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, had only recently returned from a lengthy ACL injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season. His latest setback, potentially a groin issue, occurred during extra time in City’s unexpected 4-3 defeat to Al-Hilal. The absence of the defensive midfielder poses a challenge for City, who may rely on Nico, Ilkay Gundogan, and Tijjani Reijnders to fill the void. Guardiola emphasized a careful recovery process, targeting Rodri’s return post-international break. This development forces City to adapt their strategy early, testing the squad’s depth as they aim to reclaim their Premier League dominance.