Rodri Eyes Remarkable Comeback from ACL Injury Before Season’s End
Manchester City midfielder Rodri, sidelined with a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, is optimistic about returning to action before the season concludes—a recovery timeline ahead of expectations.
The Ballon d’Or winner sustained the injury during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September, and the club had initially braced for his absence to last the entire season. Manager Pep Guardiola even cautioned that Rodri could face lingering fitness challenges next season as he reacclimates to competitive matches.
Despite these concerns, Rodri’s rehabilitation is progressing well. After spending the early stages of recovery at home in Spain with friends and family, the midfielder is set to return to Manchester in January to ramp up his rehabilitation efforts. His recent visit to the club’s training ground saw him honored for his Ballon d’Or triumph before City’s Premier League match against Tottenham.
With the Premier League campaign concluding on May 25, followed by the Champions League final on June 1 and the Club World Cup running from mid-June to mid-July, Rodri remains determined to contribute before the season ends.
“My target is to come back this season. I think in terms of my mentality, it’s going to be positive for me to not give up the season and throw it,” Rodri shared on The Rest is Football podcast.
“I don’t want to rush or make mistakes. But yeah, that’s my mentality. I don’t know when—my target is six, seven months, but the physios will dictate.”
While City navigates the challenges of their current campaign without their midfield maestro, Rodri’s ambitious recovery plan offers hope of a timely return to bolster their quest for silverware.
