Manchester City’s Rodri to undergo back surgery, may miss start of Premier League season

By Rohan Gupta — 23 July 2026 — 3 min read

Rodri’s Injury and Recovery

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is scheduled to undergo minor back surgery, which could lead to him missing the beginning of the Premier League season. The Spain captain recently led his national team to a World Cup victory, where he was also awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. This back issue follows a period of significant injury challenges for the 30-year-old.

Rodri’s recent success at the World Cup marked a return to his top form after two seasons that were heavily impacted by injuries. His previous setbacks included rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2024 during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. This particular injury sidelined him for a substantial portion of the 2024/25 campaign, limiting him to just three Premier League appearances that season.

Further injury concerns arose last July at the Club World Cup. The midfielder subsequently experienced hamstring and groin issues throughout the last season, which restricted him to only 17 Premier League starts. These recurring problems have made the past few years particularly challenging for the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner.

Contract Situation and Future Speculation

The timing of Rodri’s back problem coincides with uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Manchester City. His current contract with the club is set to expire next June. While he has expressed a desire to play in his home country again at some point and is reportedly interested in a transfer to Real Madrid, the Spanish club has not yet made a concrete move to sign him.

Despite the speculation, Enzo Maresca, Manchester City’s new manager, hopes to retain Rodri. The club is keen for him to sign a new deal, indicating their desire to keep the influential midfielder at the Etihad. Rodri’s situation remains a key point of discussion as the new season approaches.

Reflecting on his journey, Rodri spoke about the difficulties he has faced. He shared his philosophy, stating, “For me, it’s been a very tough time. I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity. When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life. Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness.”

Impact on the Upcoming Season

Rodri was not expected to participate in the Community Shield match against Arsenal due to his World Cup commitments. However, the upcoming surgery now places his availability for Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 23, in doubt. This fixture is a crucial start to the club’s league campaign.

Following the Bournemouth match, Manchester City’s schedule includes away games against Crystal Palace and Manchester United, as well as home fixtures against Coventry and Sunderland, all before the September international break. His absence, if prolonged, could significantly impact the team’s early season performance.

In other transfer news, Leeds is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire James Trafford for a fee estimated to be around £50m. The 23-year-old goalkeeper had rejoined City from Burnley last summer in a £27m deal, with the expectation of becoming the first-choice keeper. However, his position was taken by Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Italian’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. Trafford did feature in City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal in March and their FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in May.

Source: theguardian.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter