Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri may not start a match until mid-September after suffering a groin injury, in another frustrating setback for the Ballon d’Or winner.
Rodri, 29, missed the majority of the 2024-25 campaign after a serious knee injury. Now, just weeks before the new Premier League campaign, he has been ruled out of City’s final pre-season friendly against Palermo due to the groin issue sustained during the Club World Cup defeat to Al-Hilal last month.
Guardiola is refusing to rush his midfield linchpin back, confirming that Rodri will be restricted to substitute appearances in City’s opening fixtures against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton. If all goes to plan, his first start could come in the Manchester derby on September 14.
Pep Guardiola admits that Rodri may not be fit to start for Manchester City until the middle of September
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“Rodri is getting better but he had a big injury,” Guardiola said. “Hopefully, after the international break, he will be really fit. The most important thing is he doesn’t have pain, we don’t want him coming back injured again.”
Rodri has resumed light training in recent days, but City will proceed cautiously given his importance to their midfield structure. Guardiola knows the risk of aggravating the injury is too high, particularly after last season’s extended absence disrupted City’s title defence.
Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are also unavailable due to fitness or injury concerns, while several players, including Jack Grealish, have been left out of the travelling squad amid a planned squad trim.
City begin their Premier League campaign next weekend, but Guardiola’s immediate priority will be ensuring Rodri is fully recovered before returning to the starting XI. Losing him again early in the season would be a blow City can ill afford.
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