Minor procedure for midfielder
Reports earlier this summer suggested Rodri would miss the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail reported the Ballon d'Or winner would undergo surgery on an unspecified injury after Spain's World Cup involvement. That news was a blow for Enzo Maresca's side, given how central Rodri is to their play.
A fresh update from Spanish outlet Larazon has now emerged, and it paints a far less worrying picture.
According to Larazon, Rodri is scheduled for minor surgery on a back issue once the World Cup concludes. The procedure is described as an 'in and out' job that will take 'less than 15 minutes'. More importantly, the report claims Rodri isn't expected to miss any of Manchester City's preseason upon his return from post-tournament leave. He should be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Rodri has been impressive for Spain at the World Cup, looking back to his elegant best. The injury problems that troubled him last season appear to be behind him. If this latest report is accurate, the mystery injury turns out to be only a minor back issue requiring a small surgical fix.
For City, that's about as good an update as they could have hoped for.