Is Rodri out for the season?

Manchester City midfielder Rodri could miss the remainder of the season due to a suspected anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as reported by sources in Spain. The 28-year-old sustained the injury during City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, where he was seen limping off after clutching his right knee. Initial tests conducted on Monday suggest an ACL tear, which could sideline him for an extended period.

Rodri's absence would be a major blow to City's pursuit of a fifth consecutive Premier League title and their ambitions in the Champions League. The Spanish midfielder has been pivotal, losing only one of his last 84 appearances for club and country. His influential performances have made him a contender for the Ballon d'Or, particularly after playing a key role in City's latest Premier League triumph and being named Player of the Tournament in Spain's Euro 2024 victory.

After the Arsenal match, City manager Pep Guardiola praised Rodri, saying, "He’s the best holding midfielder in the world and a potential Ballon d'Or winner. I’d love for him to win it." However, Rodri's absence leaves a significant gap in City's midfield, where he has been virtually irreplaceable. Mateo Kovacic has stepped in for Rodri at times this season, but City have struggled without their star midfielder in the past.

Last season, City lost four out of the five matches Rodri missed, while they remained undefeated in the last 48 Premier League games he started. Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019, City’s win percentage and points-per-game average have been significantly higher when Rodri is in the lineup. With him, they average 2.36 points per game across all competitions, compared to 2.04 without him. If he were to miss the rest of the Premier League season, City could be projected to finish with 80 points—11 points fewer than they would with him in the side. Historically, 80 points haven’t been enough to win the league since Manchester United’s 2010-11 title win.

Rodri's defensive prowess has been key to City’s success. Since his debut, no player in the Premier League has recovered possession more frequently in the middle third of the pitch, and only a handful have made more tackles. His ability to read the game and break up opposition play has added steel to City's defense, contributing to 73 clean sheets in his 260 appearances.

Offensively, Rodri’s passing ability sets him apart. He has completed nearly 2,000 more passes than any other Premier League player since joining City, with an accuracy of 91.9%. His calmness on the ball and his consistent distribution in the opposition half and final third make him indispensable to Guardiola’s system.



As Rodri undergoes further tests, City await confirmation of the severity of the injury. His potential long-term absence raises questions about how the reigning champions will cope without one of their most influential players, especially with crucial domestic and European fixtures on the horizon.