SPORTS NEWS; – Reports from Spain on Monday, September 23, 2024, indicate that Rodri, the midfielder for Manchester City and the Spanish national team, may be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 28-year-old sustained the injury during City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, leaving the field while clutching his right knee. According to ESPN and the Spanish sports daily Marca, medical examinations conducted on Monday have confirmed the presence of an ACL tear.
The absence of Rodri would significantly hinder Manchester City’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title and their aspirations to reclaim the Champions League trophy. The former Atletico Madrid player has only lost one of his last 84 appearances for both club and country.
Rodri has been considered a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or this year, owing to his pivotal contributions to City’s recent Premier League triumph and Spain’s victory at Euro 2024. Following the match against Arsenal, City manager Pep Guardiola remarked, “Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something; otherwise, Rodri stays there. He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, and I would love for him to win the Ballon d’Or.”
With Rodri’s potential absence, Manchester City finds itself lacking depth in midfield, creating a significant void in Guardiola’s lineup. Mateo Kovacic has stepped in to fill the holding midfield position early in the season, as Rodri was gradually reintegrated following his outstanding performance at Euro 2024, where he was named player of the tournament.
Just last week, Rodri expressed concerns that leading players might consider striking due to the increasingly demanding schedule. He logged over 5,000 minutes across 63 matches for both City and Spain last season. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s something that worries us because we are the ones who suffer,” he stated regarding the escalating physical and mental pressures on players. “Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let’s say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.”
Manchester City is set to face Watford in the League Cup on Tuesday, a little over 48 hours after the match against Arsenal.
