An anterior cruciate ligament injury may keep Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri out of action for the remainder of the season, according to reports in Spain on Monday.
After coming down clutching his right knee during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League tie between City and Arsenal, the 28-year-old hobbled off.
Tests on Monday revealed the presence of an ACL tear, according to ESPN and the Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
Read Also:Thomas Partey starred in Man City – Arsenal draw.
The loss of Rodri would severely harm City’s chances of winning the Premier League for a record sixth time and their aspirations to win the Champions League again.
In his last 84 games for club and country, the former Atletico Madrid player has only lost once.
His significant contribution to both Spain’s victory at Euro 2024 and City’s most recent Premier League title has made him a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
“Rodri is strong. He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there,” City boss Pep Guardiola said after the Arsenal match.
“He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, he is a potential Ballon d’Or winner. I would love for him to win (the Ballon d’Or).”
Since Rodri was already well covered by City, his absence creates a glaring vacuum in Guardiola’s midfield.
Early in the season, Mateo Kovacic filled in for Rodri in the holding midfield position while the latter was still getting used to his new role following his success as player of the tournament at Euro 2024.
Leading players could go on strike due to an ever-expanding workload, Rodri had warned just last week.
In 63 games for City and Spain last season, he played more than 5,000 minutes.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer,” he said on the increasing physical and mental demands placed on players.
“Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let’s say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.
A little more than 48 hours after the Arsenal game, City takes on Watford in the League Cup on Tuesday.