Injured Man City star provides updates as fresh timelines emerges

Rodri has revealed that he could play for Manchester City again this season despite being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign just two months ago.

The Spaniard picked up a serious ACL injury during City’s Premier League draw against Arsenal in September. At the time, Guardiola said he didn’t expect to see the midfielder again before the end of the term. “Next season he will be here. This season is over.”

But with the elongated 2024/25 season - which could last 48 games run into July due to the Club World Cup in the USA - Rodri is hoping he might be able to play some part in the summer months.

“Now the seasons are getting longer and the [FIFA Club] World Cup ends on July 13, I have in mind to return this year, as a challenge,” the 28-year-old told Spanish radio station COPE in a recent interview.

“I've already started walking and I'm feeling better than I thought… Gavi used to say: "I need to play football". At my age you see it differently, you have time to rest and recover well.”

The news that Rodri has started walking again is a positive sign. The City midfielder was using crutches when he was last seen in public during the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Without Rodri, City’s form has sharply nosedived. The Blues have lost the last four in all competitions, the worst run of Pep Guardiola’s time at the club, and have fallen five points behind Liverpool.

While injuries are the main reason for City’s downturn in form, an inability to replace Rodri has also been a factor. Mateo Kovacic has tended to play at the base of midfield this season, but has failed to offer the same level of defensive protection as the injured City star.