Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning captain has undergone successful minor back surgery, as the Rodri injury will sideline the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball winner for a short period. The 30-year-old, who is on the radar of many clubs across Europe, notably Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, will likely be back at the start of the Premier League season if he isn’t sold.
The Rodri injury is another blow for Manchester City, after the Spanish midfielder has experienced a troublesome last few years, with knee problems, hamstring issues, and an ACL tear all happening in the last two seasons.
The Spaniard’s injury issues are all well-documented, after missing a total of 84 games for club and country in the past two campaigns. The Cityzens’ number 16 has been a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s side over the last seven years, as the midfielder is approaching 300 games for Manchester City.
However, heading into the final year of his Manchester City contract, teams around Europe will be looking to utilise this to potentially sign themselves a quality midfielder on a cut-price deal. With Enzo Maresca looking to continue the brilliance already started by Pep Guardiola, will this season be Rodri’s last at the Etihad, with injuries and rumours playing a huge factor?
Rodri Injury: A Fresh New Injury Concern
After a successful World Cup campaign with Spain, where La Roja beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup Final to claim their second World Cup triumph, the Rodri injury was discovered, and a procedure for a minor back injury was completed for the 30-year-old midfielder.
In a short statement from Manchester City, the Cityzens explained the procedure and confirmed the Rodri injury.
“Manchester City can confirm Rodri has undergone successful minor back surgery.
“The midfielder had been feeling discomfort for some time but has now undergone a procedure to address the issue and will now begin a short period of rehabilitation.
“Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and ManCity.com will bring you updates regarding his rehabilitation.”
After a consistent spell on the field in his first five seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Rodri has experienced a turbulent two seasons, with eight separate injuries sustained, over 400 days out on the sidelines and over 70 games missed due to the injuries.
After only four matches played during the 2024/25 campaign, the midfielder was able to feature in 37 matches in all competitions for Manchester City last season; however, it is far from the levels that he reached in his peak years in Manchester.
Before his injury-hit seasons, Rodri averaged around 50 games a season, being a key figure in the Cityzens’ midfield, and also being the Ballon d’Or winner for his phenomenal 2023/24 campaign. In that season, Rodri won the Premier League, the European Championships, and the UEFA Super Cup, managing 12 goals and 14 assists for club and country.
His injuries have impacted his playing time massively, but at the back end of last season, Rodri looked to be getting back to his best, and that was reiterated by Spain’s World Cup win in North America this summer.
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Rodri’s Injury: The Transfer Rumours
Everyone has seen the Rodri transfer rumours by now, and the recent Rodri injury news has not slowed down the ongoing talks about a possible switch for the Spanish midfielder. The 30-year-old has been at the centre of a transfer fight between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Jose Mourinho is pushing for the signing of the midfielder, as his Real Madrid rebuild continues. Los Blancos are expected to drop an initial offer in the region of £43 million to £51 million and see Rodri as a player who would complete their midfield. Real Madrid already possess strong options in the midfield like Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, but the Rodri transfer rumours would see an out-and-out number six arrive at the club.
Elsewhere, Barcelona and PSG are looking at potentially bringing in the midfielder to hijack the move to Real Madrid and get one over a European rival. Any team would be lucky to complete the signing of Rodri, and nothing is off the cards as the midfielder is in the final year of his Manchester City contract.
The Rodri injury casts doubt on his game time at the start of the season, but with teams eyeing a move for him in the summer transfer window, no one truly knows whether Rodri will be part of the post-Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City.
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