The FIFA Club World Cup is an important step in Rodri’s return to form | OneFootball

Towards the end of the 24/25 season, Rodri made his long-awaited return from injury during Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad at the end of May. Manchester City’s midfield general missed the majority of last season due to the ACL injury he sustained in September of 2024 against Arsenal. Up next in Rodri’s return to full fitness and form is the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament is an important step in Rodri’s potential return to prime form for next season.

How Rodri is utilised at the FIFA Club World Cup will be an interesting subplot of Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign.

Manchester City will face Wydad AC, Al Ain FC and Juventus in Group G of the FIFA Club World Cup. It would be expected that Rodri will play in all three of those games, fitness willing of course. Just how much he plays in each of those games will be of great interest to Manchester City fans.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Pep Guardiola ease Rodri into the tournament. Perhaps he’ll play half an hour or less against Wydad in City’s FIFA Club World Cup opener. Potentially, Rodri will play 45 minutes against Al Ain in the second group game. Perhaps Rodri will play even more minutes in Manchester City’s final Group game against Juventus. That way Rodri can work his way back to full match fitness.

As long as Rodri gets through the Club World Cup unscathed that will be a victory for him and Manchester City.

Rodri will likely have to ease his way into the tournament given that he has only played 10 minutes of competitive football since September. That is to be expected. But if he can do that and come out of the tournament fit and ready for next season, that would represent a massive win for Manchester City.

It would be great if Rodri could have a fairytale tournament in the United States and return to his best form. But that would be expecting too much from a player who has been out for so long. If he can get through the competition and be ready for the 25/26 season that would be the best result for Manchester City’s midfield general.

The imminent Club World Cup is an important step in Rodri’s return to full fitness and for him to rediscover his touch and form. How he plays and gets through the matches in the United States is possibly the biggest story to watch for throughout the tournament from a Manchester City point of view.