Manchester City's season hangs precariously in the balance as a major injury blow threatens to derail their World Cup-winning hero Rodri. The 30-year-old Spain captain, who led his nation to glory just last week and was crowned Player of the Tournament, is set for surgery on Monday to address a nagging back issue that has plagued him for far too long.
Despite the setbacks he's faced in recent club campaigns – an ACL injury in 2024-25, followed by multiple issues last season that left him sidelined for chunks of the season – Rodri showed a glimmer of his old self during the World Cup. And now, with City gearing up to kick-start their new campaign under the watchful eye of Enzo Maresca, the Italian coach has confirmed that Rodri will be out of action for an indeterminate period.
"Now it's time for surgery on Monday," Maresca declared at his inaugural press conference. "Then he needs a holiday – yes, a holiday! He needs to rest and recover, and then he'll be back with us." No specific return date was offered by the City boss, who's keenly aware of the importance Rodri brings to the table.
But it's not just injuries that Maresca will need to worry about – transfer speculation linking Rodri with a move to Real Madrid has been swirling. The City boss firmly dismissed such claims, however, pointing out that they're an occupational hazard for top players like Rodri: "Around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that," he commented.
Maresca also had words of praise for his predecessor Pep Guardiola, who secured a remarkable 20 trophies in just over a decade. The Italian coach hailed it as a "privilege" to take on the mantle at City, and described following in Guardiola's footsteps as a clear "challenge". As he looks ahead to the new campaign, Maresca hinted that other players still on extended breaks will rejoin the squad around three to four days before their Community Shield showdown with Arsenal.
As for the transfer window, Maresca remained tight-lipped on the futures of specific players like goalkeeper James Trafford and midfielder Jack Grealish – but teased that "a few things to do" are in the offing. It's a tantalising prospect for City fans, who'll be hoping that their new boss can deliver the same level of success as his illustrious predecessor.