Manchester City’s Rodri Out Until September After Club World Cup Injury

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is facing a significant fitness setback following a groin injury sustained during the Club World Cup loss to Al-Hilal, shortly after his return from an eight-month absence due to an ACL rupture. Head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed that while Rodri is showing signs of improvement and has resumed training, he is unlikely to be fully fit until after the September international break. Guardiola emphasized the importance of managing Rodri's recovery carefully to avoid re-injury, suggesting limited playing time in the opening Premier League matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton. This injury comes at a critical time, as Rodri had been a key figure prior to his first injury, and his absence was keenly felt during the previous season when City's form dipped. In addition to Rodri, Manchester City are also dealing with other injury issues affecting players like Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic, complicating the squad's midfield options early in the campaign. Despite these challenges, Guardiola remains hopeful that Rodri will regain full fitness to contribute more substantially as the season progresses.