“It’s been terrible for me” – Rodri lifts lid on injury nightmare after long-awaited return | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has reflected on a nightmare 2025 that saw the Ballon d’Or struggle with recurring injuries.

The 29-year-old made his first start in three months on Sunday as Nico Gonzalez’s injury meant Pep Guardiola had to recall Rodri to the starting XI, with the Blues succumbing to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s 94th minute leveller.

Rodri ruptured his ACL in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal in September 2024, forcing him to spend the subsequent nine months on the sidelines and to collect the Ballon d’Or on crutches as he became the first player in Manchester City history to win the coveted honour.

The Spain international made his long-awaited return to the pitch when he replaced Erling Haaland late on in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth in May on Kevin De Bruyne’s final home appearance for the Blues before he joined Napoli on a free transfer.

However, it was one step forward, two steps back for the former Atletico Madrid as the summer went on, with Rodri suffering a fitness setback at the FIFA Club World Cup in June that delayed his start to the 2025-26 campaign.

The midfielder returned to the pitch off the bench in a 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham in August, making his first start for Manchester City in nearly 12 months the following week as the Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat against Brighton.

Rodri picked up more starts after the September international break, making key contributions in Manchester City’s games against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal before he endured a gutting hamstring injury early on against Brentford in October.

While he returned to training in November, Rodri only made his first start since his latest injury against Chelsea at the weekend, with Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff hesitant to rush their best player back to action at a time when City need all legs on board.

Speaking to Manchester City’s official website after Sunday’s disappointing draw, Rodri was pleased to finally return to the starting XI as he hopes for an injury-free 2026.

“For me it’s a gift,” the Spaniard said. “What I’ve been through has been terrible for me so winning, drawing, losing – for me right now, everything is a gift. To play, have the joy of the game and recover the smile, and the rest will come, the victories, successes for the team.

“Right now, it’s about staying fit and enjoying football. I went through the process of where you have to adjust the body in terms of muscle. I feel strong. I need the rhythm of games but for the moment of the season we’re in and where I came from I feel good.”

Rodri is expected to retain his starting place against Brighton at the Etihad Stadium in midweek, with Manchester City urgently needing to return to winning ways to avoid losing further ground in the title race, having dropped four points against Sunderland and Chelsea in the last week.