Rodri to Undergo Back Surgery After World Cup Triumph with Spain

Rodri, the Manchester City midfielder who recently celebrated victory with Spain at the World Cup, is set to undergo back surgery next week, as confirmed by the club's new manager, Enzo Maresca. The announcement came during Maresca's unveiling as the head coach of Manchester City, where he did not specify the expected recovery timeline for Rodri following this latest injury. The talented midfielder has faced a challenging period, having previously dealt with an ACL injury in 2024, which hampered his performance last season. Despite these setbacks, Rodri played a pivotal role in leading Spain to their second World Cup title, earning the prestigious Golden Ball Award for his outstanding contributions during the tournament.

Maresca, who has taken over the managerial role after the departure of the highly successful Pep Guardiola, expressed his desire for Rodri to remain with the club amid ongoing speculation regarding his future. The Italian coach acknowledged that it is common for top players to attract interest from other clubs, especially after their achievements on the international stage. He stated, "Around a big player, there is always speculation, so I’m not worried about that. I think it’s normal also because they won the World Cup. He was one of the best players and I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player." Maresca emphasized the importance of Rodri taking the necessary time to recover, saying, "He needs a holiday. He needs to rest, he needs to recover, and then he will be back here with us."