Big blow to Man City as Pep Guardiola confirms Rodri's absence for rest of the season

Manchester City’s Premier League campaign has been dealt a significant blow as manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that key midfielder Rodri will miss the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury. The Spanish midfielder underwent surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and is expected to be sidelined for the next nine months, effectively ruling him out until the 2025/26 season.

Rodri sustained the injury during City’s crucial Premier League match against Arsenal, where he awkwardly landed on his right knee after contesting a corner with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey. The incident, which occurred just 20 minutes into the game, left Rodri in visible discomfort, and he had to be taken off the pitch immediately.

Initial reports about the injury were conflicting, leaving Manchester City hopeful that the damage would not be as severe as feared. However, further medical evaluations confirmed the worst—a complete ACL tear. Following the diagnosis, the 27-year-old opted for surgery to address the injury.

“This season is over”, says Pep Guardiola

Rodri had his procedure performed in Madrid rather than by Manchester City's preferred specialist, Dr Ramon Cugat, who has treated several of the club's players in the past. The surgery was completed successfully, but Guardiola has already accepted the reality that Rodri will not feature again this season.

"Next season he will be here. This season is over," Guardiola stated while addressing the media. He emphasized the difficulty of replacing such an influential player but remained optimistic about the team’s ability to adapt.

"What Rodri gives us, we don’t have a similar player, but all the players together can replace what Rodri has or has given us since he arrived. We have to find a way to play a lot of months without an important player for us—everybody knows it."

Despite the setback, Guardiola expressed full support for Rodri, hoping for a smooth recovery for his midfielder. "We are here to support him. Good recovery, step by step, and we move forward," he said, reinforcing the team's focus on long-term recovery and rehabilitation.

With Rodri out of action for an extended period, Manchester City faces the challenge of navigating the remainder of their season without one of their most vital players, as they aim to defend their Premier League title and push for success in Europe.