Manchester City fans have been longing for the day they see Rodri back in a sky blue shirt.
The Spaniard is regarded as one of the Manchester club’s best players, and after an incredible season last time around, which saw Rodri win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, the Man City star unfortunately suffered a long-term knee injury at the start of the season against Arsenal.
This had a big impact on the 2024/25 campaign for Man City as without the 28-year-old, Pep Guardiola’s team have not looked the same and as a result, were unable to fight for the Premier League title.
Man City hoped Rodri would be back for the FA Cup final this weekend, and ahead of City’s trip to Wembley, Guardiola has provided an update on the Spanish international.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Pep Guardiola says Rodri is ‘much better’ ahead of the FA Cup final
Rodri returned to training with Man City late last month, but the midfielder is yet to play for the Manchester club, or even make a matchday squad.
Ahead of the FA Cup final on Saturday, Guardiola was asked during his press conference if there was an outside chance that the 28-year-old would feature in some way against Crystal Palace.
More Man City News
“He is much, much better,” Guardiola replied. “I’m waiting on the doctors. When they did his surgery, they told me that when he is ready, he is going to start. We don’t want to take a risk and make a setback.”
Guardiola will need to take a risk with Rodri before the season ends if the Man City boss wants the midfielder to be back to match sharpness for the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
It still remains to be seen when Rodri will return, and ahead of the FA Cup final, Guardiola also provided an update on the other City stars with recent injury concerns.
Man City’s injury list ahead of the FA Cup final
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
During his press conference on Friday, Guardiola stated that Man City’s injury issues heading into the weekend are the same as last week, with the Spanish coach replying to the press with: “It’s the same as last week.”
Erling Haaland was adamant that he would be fit for the FA Cup final after his recent injury, and last weekend saw the Norwegian superstar return to action against Southampton.
However, many other members of City’s squad have not been so lucky as John Stones is yet to fully recover from his thigh injury, and Oscar Bobb will not be risked after his recent hamstring issue.
Man City welcomed Nathan Ake back to training last week, but it remains to be seen if the Dutch star will be included in the squad to face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The defender may be fit enough to make the bench, but nothing more than that.