World Cup champion Rodri will undergo back surgery on Monday,
Manchester City
manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The 30-year-old Spain captain led his nation to World Cup success last week and collected the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player.
His past two club seasons, however, were badly affected by injuries — an anterior cruciate ligament tear ruled him out for most of the 2024-25 season, and further issues last year meant frequent absences.
The Ballon d’Or winner looked back to his peak during the World Cup, but at his first news conference since being
appointed City boss,
Maresca said Rodri now requires an operation followed by a recovery period.
Maresca explained that surgery is scheduled for Monday, after which Rodri will take time off to rest and rehabilitate before rejoining the squad.
He did not provide a return date but dismissed talk about the Spaniard’s future at Etihad Stadium amid links to Real Madrid over the past week.
Maresca said speculation is inevitable around elite players, particularly after Spain’s World Cup win, adding that every coach would want Rodri because of his top-level quality.
On other players yet to report back, Maresca expects them to rejoin the squad three to four days before City face Premier League champions
Arsenal
in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August.