Manchester City Star Rodri Set for Extended Absence After Knee Ligament Injury

Manchester City star Rodri is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury during his side’s Premier League clash with Arsenal. The club confirmed the Spanish midfielder sustained damage to his right knee, and although the full extent of the injury is still under assessment, manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that Rodri could be out “for a long, long time.”

Rodri, who played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s domestic and European successes last season, including their Champions League triumph, is considered one of the world’s top midfielders. Since joining City, his presence has been crucial to the team’s dominance, and his absence could have a significant impact on their performance in both domestic and international competitions.

Guardiola, speaking after City’s 2-1 League Cup win over Watford, expressed his concerns about Rodri’s recovery timeline. “We don’t have the definitive diagnosis yet, but he will be out for a while. We’re still waiting for feedback from the doctors and specialists, but what he has and what surgery he may need will determine how long he’s unavailable,” Guardiola said.

Rodri, 28, traveled to Spain this week to consult with specialists after initial tests in Manchester. The injury occurred during a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, and the midfielder was substituted at halftime during the 2-2 draw. Guardiola emphasized the difficulty of replacing Rodri, saying, “When you don’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long time, it’s a big blow. But we will find a solution as a team.”

This setback comes just days after Rodri voiced his concerns about the increasing demands on professional footballers, suggesting that players might strike to protest the congested schedule. His comments followed the introduction of a revamped Champions League format that adds more games before the knockout stages, a change he criticized as being too taxing on players’ bodies.

Rodri’s importance to both Manchester City and the Spanish national team cannot be overstated. He played a vital role in Spain’s record fourth European Championship win and is one of four City players nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. City’s success rate significantly drops when he is absent, further emphasizing his value to the team. Last season, all three of City’s Premier League losses occurred when Rodri was unavailable due to suspension.

As Manchester City prepares for upcoming fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League, Guardiola and his coaching staff will need to reconfigure their midfield strategy to cope with the absence of one of their most influential players.