Rodri injury return update: Double trophy target for Man City & Spain star as Ballon d’Or winner works his way back from from knee ligament damage

The Spain international has been a big miss for Premier League champions City after suffering knee ligament damage in September 2024. Without him, Pep Guardiola’s side have endured uncharacteristic struggles, leading to them surrendering their grip on a domestic title.

Rodri is still some way off a return to action, but he is hoping to figure again in the 2024-25 campaign. The Ballon d’Or winner, who helped Spain to European Championship glory last summer, also has international action to think about in the coming months.

Quizzed by AS on whether he expects to grace the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with City and Spain’s bid for another trophy in the UEFA Nations League finals, Rodri said: “Yes, I think so. I don't want to confirm anything, but my idea is to try to come back a little earlier than that. It's in my head. These are the two big tournaments I have in mind for this year.”

Rodri is still working his way through a lengthy rehabilitation programme and added on how that process is going: “Full throttle, full throttle. I mean, I work three or four times what I would do on a normal day. Three hours in the morning and then in the afternoon they come to my house to treat me. We alternate: rehabilitation, physio… but like that, without stopping.”

Rodri is a talismanic presence for club and country, and both will welcome the news of positive progress being made in his recovery. It remains to be seen when the 28-year-old will be given a green light by medical staff to step back onto the training field.