Guardiola Provides Update on Rodri’s Recovery Progress
Rodri’s road to recovery has been lengthy and challenging. It has been over 13 months since the Manchester City midfielder suffered a knee ligament injury, and his fitness continues to be a prominent subject in manager Pep Guardiola’s weekly press briefings. The player has been unavailable for the last four matches, and during a recent session at the club’s training facility, Guardiola was unable to provide a specific timeline for the midfielder’s return.
“Rodri is still unavailable, but he is improving,” Guardiola indicated. “He has been training with us. We’ll see how it goes. I hope he returns soon, but not just yet.”
Rodri’s comeback has faced numerous hurdles. He sustained a significant anterior cruciate ligament injury in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in September 2024 and underwent surgery shortly thereafter. By February, he was back on the field for training, and by April, he had returned to full team practices. He marked his comeback with a brief appearance off the bench during a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth in late May. In June, he started for the first time in the FIFA Club World Cup against Juventus, and by August, he made his first Premier League appearance against Brighton.
However, his recovery has not been without setbacks. Rodri experienced discomfort and was substituted during the extra time of the Club World Cup match against Al Hilal. He also had to leave the field during a 1-0 victory over Napoli in September due to knee issues, and in October, he was substituted with a hamstring problem in the first half of a match against Brentford.
Guardiola expressed concern regarding Rodri’s capability to handle the physical demands of three matches within a week against Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal. After the draw against Arsenal, Rodri missed two subsequent matches against Huddersfield Town and Burnley, and he had to be taken off during the 2-2 draw with Monaco due to another injury.
Injuries can impact a player mentally as well as physically. Rodri suffered a hefty challenge during the Monaco match and required on-field treatment, which may have affected his confidence and performance.
According to physiotherapist Lewin, who worked with Aaron Ramsey during his recovery from a serious leg injury, players often have to overcome psychological barriers after significant injuries. “When Aaron returned, he faced apprehension regarding big tackles. Such injuries can have a lasting psychological effect,” Lewin shared.
City’s squad depth has improved compared to last season, allowing them to manage Rodri’s absence more effectively. Nico González, who joined Manchester City from FC Porto, is becoming acclimated to the Premier League, and Mateo Kovacic has returned following his recovery from Achilles surgery. Still, Rodri’s return is crucial as doubts remain about whether the 29-year-old can regain the form that earned him the title of the best player in the world in 2024.
According to Lewin, time is essential for Rodri. “After several months of rehabilitation, players can meet their physical metrics. However, their decision-making and confidence may still be lacking. People tend to overlook that recovery encompasses more than just physical fitness,” he noted.
Guardiola has hinted that the club may not see Rodri at peak performance until the next season. “Rodri is an exceptional player, and everyone recognizes that. However, I explained to him that recovery isn’t merely a matter of months,” Guardiola remarked. “He will shine in the World Cup representing Spain next summer, and next season, we expect him to be at his best. This season, it’s about managing his recovery carefully, step by step.”
Rodri’s journey to full fitness is still ongoing.
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