Manchester City’s Rodri will undergo back surgery on Monday ahead of the upcoming season.
His new boss, Enzo Maresca, confirmed the 30-year-old needs surgery followed by recovery and a holiday after an incredibly busy period for the World Cup-winning captain.
The midfielder’s last couple of seasons have been turbulent, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury which saw him miss most of the 2024/25 campaign.
Rodri returned to his peak powers at this World Cup, guiding Spain to their second title.
Maresca confirmed City’s key man will have surgery on Monday, adding: “Then he needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover, and then he will be back with us.”
The Italian did not detail how long he would be out for and dismissed rumours that the Spaniard was moving away from the Etihad.
He said: “Around big players there are always speculations, so I am not worried about that.
“I think it is normal, also because they [Spain] won the World Cup and because he is one of the best players.
World Cup-winning captain Rodri will undergo back surgery
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“I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player.”
Maresca left Chelsea under a cloud in January, having informed them that he was interested in returning to City, where he’d previously worked on their coaching staff.
Chelsea ended up replacing him with Liam Rosenior and, in June, released a blistering statement that condemned his behaviour behind the scenes.
“We felt let down as we believed that his head and heart were focused on another club… the club was left with no choice but to protect our players, our supporters, and the Badge and accept his resignation,” they said.
Enzo Maresca has refused to discuss his turbulent departure from Chelsea in his first press conference since replacing Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager | GETTY
Maresca, speaking at his first press conference in charge of City, was asked about his controversial departure from Stamford Bridge.
And the 46-year-old attempted to dodge the subject, merely saying: “No [he has nothing to say].
“To be honest, I feel quite lucky in terms of my former clubs; Leicester and Chelsea. We did great jobs at both clubs, the identity was clear and the success was clear.
“I feel very lucky to be part of these clubs but we are here today. That is the most important thing, just about City. Nothing to add.”
Maresca has taken over from Guardiola after the Spaniard spent 10 years at the club
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Maresca insists he’s relishing the challenge, however, while noting that Manchester United and Arsenal have struggled at times since the departures of iconic bosses such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
He said: “First of all it is a privilege. I have said many times that I consider Pep [Guardiola] to be the best coach in the world for the last 20 years. It is a challenge but it is nice, a privilege.
“The manager, after so many years [with one person] at the club, always struggles a little bit. After Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Arsene [Wenger].
“It is a challenge to do the right things immediately, for this organisation, fans and everyone.”
