Back surgery looms for Rodri after World Cup glory, City boss says

Manchester City’s Enzo Maresca announced on Monday that Spanish midfielder Rodri will undergo back surgery, a stark contrast to the celebrations that followed his World Cup heroics. The announcement juxtaposes the player’s recent triumph on the global stage with a looming medical setback for the club.

The operation is scheduled for Monday and will be the first major intervention since Rodri lifted the World Cup for Spain and collected the Golden Ball. Maresca stressed that the procedure marks a new chapter after the Spanish captain’s historic achievement.

Rodri started all eight of Spain’s matches as the nation secured its second men’s World Cup title, and a Getty Images photo captured the moment he lifted the trophy, underscoring his role as the tournament’s Golden Ball winner. The image, credited to Getty Images, has become emblematic of his international success.

His club career, however, has been marred by injury. An anterior cruciate ligament rupture sidelined him for most of the 2024‑25 season, and a series of setbacks last season further limited his availability for Manchester City. These recurring problems have kept the midfielder off the pitch for extended periods.

Maresma said, "Now, [he has] surgery on Monday. Then he needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us." The Italian coach added that Rodri will require a period of recuperation before rejoining training, emphasizing the need for a careful return.

When asked about recent reports linking Rodri with Real Madrid, Maresma dismissed the speculation, noting that big players always attract rumors. He said he is not worried about such talk, focusing instead on the World Cup win and the player’s status as one of the best.

Looking ahead, Maresca expects other injured City players to be available three or four days before the Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday, 16 August, and said the squad should be assembled shortly before that match. In his first news conference as Manchester City manager, he called succeeding Pep Guardiola "a privilege," hinted at a few things to do in the transfer window, and declined comment on the futures of James Trafford or Jack Grealish. Images]