Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury, significantly denting the club’s hopes of securing a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the Spanish international underwent surgery to repair an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, sustained during last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Rodri has been a vital part of Guardiola’s squad, with his absence expected to leave a significant void as City continue their quest to retain the Premier League and reclaim the Champions League trophy. Guardiola, speaking ahead of the team’s match against Newcastle, called the injury “the worst news possible.”
Rodri, who played a key role in City’s title-winning campaign last season and was named player of the tournament at Euro 2024, is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football. His absence is further highlighted by City’s poor record in matches without him; the club has lost four times in the Premier League when Rodri hasn’t played since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Despite the setback, Guardiola remains optimistic, mentioning potential replacements within the squad, including Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji, among others. He also hinted at a possible dip into the January transfer market, though nothing has been confirmed.
The loss of Rodri comes after an already challenging start to the season, with the midfielder missing four matches due to a hamstring injury. His injury compounds City’s current issues, with Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne also sidelined.