Manchester City’s midfield maestro, Rodri, will be on the sidelines for an extended period after sustaining a right knee injury during Sunday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal. The severity of the injury is still being assessed, but manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will be out “for a long time”.
Rodri, who is considered a frontrunner for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2024, traveled to Spain on Monday for further tests. Several British media outlets have speculated that the Spanish international may have suffered an ACL tear.
Guardiola provided an update on Rodri’s condition following City’s 2-1 victory over Watford in the English League Cup on Tuesday. He revealed that the club expects to have a definitive diagnosis and surgical plan by Wednesday. “We’re waiting for the last phone calls from the doctors to know exactly what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get,” Guardiola stated.
The injury occurred in the 20th minute of the Arsenal match when Rodri collided with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey in the box during a corner kick. He was visibly in pain and had to be substituted.
Rodri’s potential absence poses a significant challenge for City, who are aiming for a record-breaking fifth consecutive Premier League title. They currently lead the league by a single point after five games.
The 27-year-old midfielder is widely regarded as one of the most influential players for City. His exceptional defensive abilities and his ability to control the tempo of the game through precise passing have made him an indispensable member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. City have remained undefeated in the Premier League in their last 48 games with Rodri on the field.
Guardiola has consistently lauded Rodri’s talents, even going so far as to call him “the best holding midfielder in the world” and a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
This injury comes at a particularly challenging time for Rodri, who recently expressed concerns about the overwhelming number of games that top players are being asked to compete in, calling for potential player strikes to address the issue.
As City awaits the final assessment of Rodri’s injury, the club and its fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for their star midfielder. The impact of his absence will be keenly felt as they navigate a demanding season.
