World Cup winner Rodri is headed for back surgery on Monday, new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca confirmed today. This is a gut punch of news, especially coming right after the 30-year-old Spain captain led his country to World Cup glory for the second time last week, even snagging the Golden Ball award as player of the tournament. The dude was absolutely on fire, back to his best after what sounds like a seriously rough couple of seasons at club level.
Rodri’s Road Back: More Than Just a Holiday
Seriously, Rodri has been through it. We’re talking an anterior cruciate ligament injury that wiped out most of his 2024-25 campaign, then a string of setbacks last season that kept him off the pitch way too often. To see him bounce back so hard at the World Cup, winning the Ballon d’Or and then grabbing the Golden Ball, was incredible. But now, Maresca says Rodri needs the surgery, then a proper holiday, rest, and recuperation before he’s back with the squad. The Italian coach didn’t give a timeline for his return, which is totally understandable, but man, you know City wants their midfield general back ASAP.
And speaking of Rodri, Maresca immediately shot down all the transfer speculation that’s been swirling about the Spaniard’s future at Etihad. Reports linked him with a move to Real Madrid in the past week, but Maresca ain’t worried. He basically said it’s normal for big players, especially World Cup winners, to have rumors fly around because “every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player.” You gotta respect that confidence, brushing off the noise right out of the gate.
Maresca’s Tough Act and What’s Next for City
Maresca’s first press conference since taking over from Pep Guardiola was definitely a baptism by fire, fielding questions about the legendary Catalan, who piled up 20 trophies in 10 years. Maresca, who was Guardiola’s assistant during that insane 2022-23 Treble season, called it a “privilege” to follow him, recognizing the challenge but also saying Pep is “the best coach in the world in the last 20-25 years.” He’s confident they can keep up the “great job” that’s been done for the last 14, 15 years, citing his familiarity with the organization and their patient approach.
Beyond Rodri, Maresca hinted there are “a few things to do” in the transfer window but kept it tight-lipped on the futures of goalkeeper James Trafford and returning midfielder Jack Grealish, who’s back in training after a loan spell. The other players are expected to rejoin the squad just three or four days before City faces Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield. That match on Sunday, August 16, is gonna be a massive early test for Maresca and the squad, especially with Rodri likely out. You know that first game of the season is going to show us exactly what this new era looks like.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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