Manchester City fans have been dreading word about Rodri after he limped out of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal – and a devastating injury update has now arrived.
After Manchester City had gone 1-0 up against the Gunners, Rodri was forced from the field of play at the Etihad Stadium.
The Spaniard was attacking a corner, but went to ground under pressure from Thomas Partey.
There was immediate concern for the player, and TV cameras clocked his face as we was receiving treatment. Everyone knew it was serious – and now there is confirmation of that.
As per ESPN and multiple other sources, Rodri has torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is set to miss the rest of the 2024/25 season. He is set to undergo surgery in Barcelona.
It is just about the worst possible news for City.
Rodri has become the team’s most important player over the last couple of years, and has been absolutely instrumental for Pep Guardiola‘s side. He also been integral for Spain.
He has been acknowledged in recent times for a number of individual awards, and he has been among the favourites to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Man City fans react as Rodri reportedly suffers ACL injury
Needless to say, today’s bombshell has left many City fans devastated.
Rodri has become the darling of the Etihad in recent times. Not only he is an amazing player and arguably the best in his position in the world, he is also a great personality and someone everyone respects.
He now faces a long time out, and the notion of this is something many are struggling with.
Now, of course, talk will inevitably turn to how City will cover Rodri’s absence.
City did not sign an out-and-out defensive midfielder in the summer. But they did bring back Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
The German will surely now see more minutes for City than everyone probably expected.
But the man a of people are focusing on is Mateo Kovacic, who covered for Rodri so splendidly in the opening weeks of the season when the Spaniard was unavailable.
A huge blow for City
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So, after it was claimed earlier today that Rodri was ‘optimistic’ about the injury, it now looks as though he will now be on the sidelines for some time and it is terrible news for both the club and him personally.
The 28-year-old has been so good for so long, and we saw last season how City struggled without him.
In fairness this season, City have managed well without him. But it will be a big task for the likes of Kovacic and Gundogan to show the same quality in that position on a consistent basis.
