Manchester City have confirmed that midfielder Rodri sustained a knee ligament injury during their match against Arsenal on Sunday. The Spanish international was forced off the pitch in the 21st minute following a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey during a corner, which caused him to twist his knee.
Although a precise recovery timeline has not been established, manager Pep Guardiola indicated after City’s Carabao Cup victory over Watford that Rodri is likely to face a lengthy absence. “We still don’t have the definitive diagnosis, but he will be out for quite some time. However, there is some hope it may be less than we initially feared,” Guardiola said. He added that they are awaiting final confirmation from medical specialists on the extent of the injury and whether surgery will be required.
Rodri has traveled to Spain for further evaluation by a specialist, following initial assessments in Manchester. Guardiola emphasized the 28-year-old’s importance to the team, calling him “irreplaceable.” The midfielder has been instrumental for City, with the club remaining unbeaten in their last 48 Premier League games in which he has started. However, the manager is confident that a solution will be found in his absence.
City struggled without Rodri last season, losing four out of the five games he missed. His value extends beyond club football, as he was named the player of the tournament in Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and is considered one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or next month.
Recently, Rodri expressed concern about the increasing demands on footballers, noting that players are “close to” going on strike due to the packed schedule, which includes an expanded Champions League and the upcoming Club World Cup. The former Atletico Madrid player made 63 appearances for City and Spain last season, further highlighting his influence and workload.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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