Manchester City midfielder Rodri will miss time after undergoing back surgery, with the club describing it as a short rehabilitation period.
Manager Enzo Maresca said Friday that the operation was scheduled for Monday and that Rodri needs a break to rest and recover before rejoining the squad. No return date has been set.
City play Arsenal in the Community Shield on 16 August, then open their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on 23 August.
The club added that Rodri had been dealing with ongoing discomfort and has now had a procedure to resolve it.
Rodri, who has one year left on his contract, continues to be strongly linked with Real Madrid after leading Spain to the World Cup title this month, where he was named player of the tournament. Injuries have disrupted his last two seasons, including an ACL tear that sidelined him for most of City’s 2024-25 season.
Separately, as reported by BBC Sport in June, defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract running through summer 2031. The 24-year-old Croatia international has made 122 appearances since arriving from RB Leipzig in August 2023, winning six trophies, including the Premier League in his first season.