Manchester City heads into the new season facing a real problem. Rodri, one of the most important players in Pep Guardiola’s squad, has suffered another injury to his right knee and will miss the start of the 2025/26 Premier League. The news came from journalist Fabrizio Romano and dropped just days before the August 16 opener against Wolverhampton. It’s a setback that stings even more because Rodri had only recently returned after spending eight months out recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season.
That first injury took place last September in a game against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium. About fifteen minutes in, while battling for space with midfielder Partey during a corner, Rodri felt something give in his right knee and left the pitch limping. Tests confirmed an ACL tear, which meant surgery and months of rehabilitation. He didn’t resume training with the ball until March this year, more than five months after the incident.
Recent medical checks have now confirmed he will be out for the early part of the season. The club hasn’t given a timeline, but it’s certain he won’t be ready for the Premier League opener. Guardiola will have to adjust his midfield plans quickly before the first matches kick off.
An injury at the wrong time
Preseason is when coaches fine-tune their teams for the demanding months ahead. Losing a player who was only just regaining match fitness makes that job a lot harder. Rodri had already missed most of last year and was working to get back to top form. This new setback stops that progress cold and forces the medical staff to be even more careful to prevent another recurrence.
The fact it’s the same knee again raises concerns. Players coming back from an ACL tear need time to trust their movements and handle the intensity of competitive soccer. For Rodri, returning in a high-stakes tournament was always going to be physically demanding. Now he’s sidelined again, and the worry extends beyond the immediate matches. City knows well how much they missed him before, and they will be hoping not to face the same situation deep into the season.
Manchester City under close watch
Regardless of how long he’s out, the impact is already there. Rodri’s influence on the pitch shapes how City sets up and reacts to opponents. Missing him in the first rounds of the Premier League changes the flow of the team, much like it did last season.
Rodri now begins another recovery process, but this time with the experience of going through it before. Patience and careful management will be essential if he is to return to being the dependable player City needs for the rest of the year.