Rodri could leave Man City as club sweat on decision after worrying Pep Guardiola update
Manchester City will be without Rodri at the start of the Premier League season – and could be at risk of losing their key midfielder entirely.
City were forced to play almost the entire 2024/25 campaign without Rodri after he ruptured his ACL in September. The Spanish midfielder made his return from injury over the summer, playing five times, before he picked up another injury at the Club World Cup.
Rodri was forced off the pitch in the 4-3 defeat by Al-Hilal in the last 16 of the competition at the start of July with a groin problem. And City are being careful not to rush him back, given his injury history, with Pep Guardiola explaining that he won't be fully fit until September.
'Rodri's getting better but he had a big injury in the last game against Al-Hilal and for the last five or six weeks,' said Guardiola. 'He's training right now and in the last two or three days is better. Hopefully maybe the international break is when he will be really, really fit.
'Hopefully, in the games (prior to that) he can play some minutes, but the important thing is to not have pain because we don't want him to come back and get injured. We will try desperately to avoid that but he's been training [in] the last two or three days with us and that's good.'
What makes matters worse for City is there is now some uncertainty surrounding the future of Rodri. The 29-year-old midfielder is under contract with City until June 2027 and is approaching the time when he will have to sign a new deal, or leave.
Spanish newspaper AS has stirred the pot by reporting that Rodri has not decided what he wants to do after being made aware of interest from Real Madrid. The Ballon d'Or winner is reportedly not in a rush to make up his mind, which may worry City.
City are ready to offer Rodri a two-year contract extension which would make him close to the club's top-earner, alongside Erling Haaland. The report states that there are now alarm bells ringing at City, who view Real as a real threat.
The Spanish giants want to sign a new central midfielder and view Madrid-born Rodri as a perfect addition for Xabi Alonso's side. They are ready to wait it out in the hope that Rodri runs down his deal and forces an exit for a lower price. Rodri used to play for Real's rivals Atletico Madrid, but that doesn't seem to be a barrier towards a move to Alonso's side.
City begin their Premier League campaign against Wolves on August 16 and have other injury worries in the form of Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic, who were both left out of the travelling squad for Saturday's friendly against Palermo in Sicily.
Asked if they might make the Wolves game, Guardiola said: 'Ninety minutes for Rodri, I don't think so. Phil, hopefully, it depends on the problem but it's a long week so hopefully, but Kova [is] injured until September or October. Hopefully [he will be back] earlier.'
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'And I told him, 'You've got everything. With your ability, you will be at the top level for the next 10 years or even more, you will be one of the best players in the world, not just in the club but also in the national team'. 'I've heard stories of older players ganging up on youngsters to defend their territory, the sort of stuff you see in animal documentaries. 'I will never, ever undermine a team-mate of mine. That's not me. 'Yes, he plays in the same position as me. But I still need to acknowledge his talent, applaud him and help him, if only in a little way, to achieve his potential. 'He pushes me to become a better version of myself and to improve further. These are the demands at this level. If someone's better than you, you will be dropped. There's no option but to keep your head straight and to look forward.' 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