Rodri faces possible surgery after back injury puts City start at risk

Manchester City are facing another setback involving Rodri, with the Spain captain reportedly set for an extended spell out after sustaining a back injury that may need surgery, according to The Guardian Football. The development comes after a strong international end to the season for the 30-year-old midfielder, who had only recently returned to his best form following two injury-hit campaigns. Rodri was a central figure in Spain’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a match in which he also received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player. For City, the concern is not just Rodri’s fitness but the timing. A back problem that keeps him out at the start of the campaign would be a major issue for a team that has long relied on his control in midfield, defensive screening and ability to set the tempo from deep. Even a short absence from a player of Rodri’s importance can affect how City build play and protect themselves against transitions. The reports do not confirm whether surgery will be necessary, only that it is being considered. That leaves some uncertainty around both the likely recovery timeline and the exact point at which he might return. What is clear is that the injury adds another difficult chapter to a period in which Rodri has had to manage repeated physical setbacks. City have not publicly detailed the full extent of the issue in the feed information available, so the club’s immediate plans remain unclear. If he is unavailable for the opening weeks of the season, manager Pep Guardiola may need to adjust his midfield structure and lean on other options to cover a role Rodri has made uniquely important in recent years. The news also raises a broader question about workload after a long season and a high-intensity tournament. Rodri’s schedule included club commitments, international duty and a run to the final, and the physical demands on elite midfielders often leave little margin for recovery. Back injuries can be particularly tricky because they are sometimes difficult to manage quickly and may require a more cautious approach than other issues. For now, the situation appears to be one for careful monitoring rather than certainty. The Guardian’s report suggests the injury could keep Rodri out for an extended period, but the scale of the setback will depend on medical assessment and whether surgery is ultimately needed. Until then, City will be waiting on news about one of their most important players and one of the defining midfielders of the modern game.

Source: The Guardian Football - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/23/blow-for-manchester-city-with-rodri-out-for-extended-period-due-to-back-injury