Manchester City midfielder Rodri has undergone back surgery, the club confirmed, sidelining the World Cup-winning captain for a “short period of rehabilitation” - a development that intensifies the uncertainty over his future with just a year left on his contract.
The operation took place on Monday, as new manager Enzo Maresca had revealed on Friday. “He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us,” Maresca said. City said Rodri had been “feeling discomfort for some time but has now undergone a procedure to address the issue.”
“Rodri out for 'short period' after back surgery as Real Madrid circle with one year left on contract.”
The 30-year-old, who captained Spain to World Cup glory earlier this month and was named player of the tournament, has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, with reports that the Spanish club are “operating on the basis” of him joining them.
Rodri’s past two seasons have been heavily disrupted by injury. He missed most of City’s 2024-25 campaign with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and his return to peak form was a key question. Former manager Pep Guardiola had predicted last October: “In the World Cup, he will be the best Rodri, and next season he will be the best Rodri.” Guardiola was proved right on the first count - Rodri won the Golden Ball - but now the midfielder faces another layoff.
Maresca, who replaced Guardiola after a decade in charge, is overseeing a squad overhaul. Four starters from City’s Treble-winning side of 2022-23 - Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Bernardo Silva and John Stones - have left this summer. In their place, City have signed £116m midfielder Elliot Anderson and 17-year-old Jeremy Monga, while monitoring 18-year-old Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed for Morocco in the World Cup.
“I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player,” Maresca said, making clear his desire to keep the Ballon d’Or winner. But with Real Madrid circling and the clock ticking on his contract, City face a dilemma: cash in when he returns to fitness, or stick with Maresca’s plan?
City begin their season against Arsenal in the Community Shield on 16 August, followed by a Premier League opener at Bournemouth on 23 August - matches that will offer an early glimpse of Maresca’s chess-like system without his most important piece.