Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury early in the season, before he took the podium to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Not only that, the Spanish midfielder also suffered a hamstring injury in his right knee, which came to him in the draw with Arsenal last September.
The two injuries combined at the same time have forced the Man City midfielder to miss the rest of the season. Last season, when Rodri was absent due to suspension, Man City fell into a streak of 3 consecutive losses. This time, that number is 4 with 2 defeats in the Premier League, 1 in the Champions League and 1 in the League Cup.
Man City and Pep Guardiola are missing Rodri more than ever because no one in the squad can replace the 28-year-old star. Mateo Kovacic was chosen to play as a traitor in Rodri's position but also failed to meet expectations. Pep is facing the problem of having to buy Rodri's replacement in the 2025 winter transfer window, but in the current player market, there are no feasible goals. In an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena Cope, Rodri reassured Man City fans. When asked if he will be able to return in time for the end of this season, the Citizens star confirmed that he would. He shared that the 2024-2025 season will be longer than usual due to the FIFA Club World Cup with the final on July 13. It is not ruled out that Rodri will join this playground right after recovering.
Before suffering a serious injury, Rodri was offered a new contract by Man City's board. While not yet finalizing the future with the Etihad team, the 28-year-old star knows he has an approach from Real Madrid. However, he affirmed that Man City is home and has no intention of returning.
"I like life now and still have a contract with the club. The tournament in his home country Spain is very attractive, but in England, everything is special. Man City gave me a very comfortable environment. If I had to leave, I would definitely think a lot" - Rodri shared.
After winning the Ballon d'Or, information about Rodri was updated very little, which is rare for a player who has just reached his peak. However, this can be explained by the Spanish midfielder's private lifestyle, even not using social networks. Therefore, the interview with Cadena Cope is considered a rare time Rodri confirmed his injury situation and the stories behind the Golden Ball Gala.
The Spanish midfielder was involved in a small scandal after the Gala night. While celebrating the Golden Ball with his teammates, Rodri repeated many times the song "Ciao Vinicius" (bye Vinicius). The video quickly went viral on social media and many people said that Rodri was disrespectful to the Real Madrid striker.
"This is a healthy competition and it is our private party. I don't lack respect for anyone" - Rodri shared.
