Rodri will undergo a back operation and leaves Man City without a return timeline

Real Madrid C.F.

The news, reported by The Athletic, comes just after an especially intense summer for the Madrid-born midfielder. Rodri comes off captaining Spain in their triumph at the 2026 World Cup, a tournament in which he played in all eight matches for the national team coached by Luis de la Fuente.

During the competition, the player grew in importance with each game. His influence on ball circulation, defensive balance and game-tempo management ultimately made him an essential piece of La Roja.

No date to return and with more accumulated physical problems

The Manchester City have still not made an official statement about the operation. The lack of a recovery timetable points to a cautious approach, especially given that it involves a delicate area like the back and after the player's recent injury history.

Rodri already suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in September 2024, an injury that kept him out of almost the entire 2024-25 season. On his return, he also had issues with his hamstrings and groin, which limited his involvement this campaign to 33 appearances.

The contrast with previous seasons is clear. In 2022-23, when the sky-blue side won the treble, the midfielder played 56 matches. Now, after a top-level World Cup, he faces a new physical setback.

For Maresca, the absence represents a first major difficulty in his arrival at the Etihad. The Italian coach will have to find alternatives to cover the gap left by a player who has shaped the team's functioning over the last few years, in a phase that already begins with the pressure of succeeding Pep Guardiola.

The sporting situation is not the only open issue. Rodri's contract runs out in July 2027 and, according to the information published, there still would be no clear signs of a willingness to renew. Talks were expected once the World Cup ended, although his future remains unresolved.

The Real Madrid have been repeatedly linked with the Spanish international over the past few weeks. The Athletic says the white club currently has no intention of making an offer, while Matteo Moretto suggests the player has already given the go-ahead to the Madrid side and that Florentino Pérez would view the deal favorably.