Rodri rushed Manchester City return after ACL injury, admits Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted a harsh truth over Rodri’s knee amidst concerns over the Spanish midfielder’s fitness.

Rodri underwent surgery on his ACL 12 months ago, which kept the Ballon d’Or winning midfielder on the sidelines till the closing weeks of the 2024-25 season, with Rodri only making his long-awaited return to action against Bournemouth in May.

The 29-year-old missed the start of the 2025-26 season after suffering a fitness setback at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in the summer, which raised concerns over whether the former Atletico Madrid man rushed back prematurely.

Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton on the south coast at the end of August marked Rodri’s first Premier League start in nearly a year, with the Spain international bossing the pitch and dominating in midfield despite his side going on to lose.

However, there have been doubts looming over Rodri’s fitness behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium after the midfielder started thrice in a row – against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal – in the space of a week after the September international break.

The arrival of Nico Gonzalez from Porto in January has allowed Guardiola and his coaching staff flexibility in easing Rodri back to action as Manchester City navigate a period of transition on and off the pitch.

Whilst the jury is still out on Gonzalez’s long-term prospects as a potent defensive midfielder for Manchester City, the 23-year-old has impressed when filling in for Rodri this season as the Ballon d’Or winner works his way back to full fitness.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Brentford on Sunday, Guardiola admitted that Rodri’s rush to return to action has come back to haunt the 29-year-old.

“I said to Rodri, maybe he’s struggled to understand that this is not about six or seven months,” Guardiola said. “‘I’m back, I’ll play and I’ll be like the Rodri from before’ – no!

“Rodri will be good at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Spain, next season – he will be the best Rodri. This season, it will be how you handle it, step by step. It’s normal.

“For one year, he’s been on the massage table. The body changes, the rhythm changes and everything. It’s a question of time. He will be back.”

It remains to be seen whether Rodri will start against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Guardiola and co expected to be very careful with managing their midfield anchor’s workload, with a growing belief at the club of Gonzalez’ capabilities to shoulder greater responsibility in the absence of City’s usual number six.