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Pep Guardiola reveals what it will take for Rodri to make long-awaited Man City return with midfielder back in training after ACL injury
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized patience regarding Rodri’s return to action following a serious knee injury.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has resumed first-team training after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in September 2024 — an injury initially thought to end his season.
Despite growing hopes of an early return, Guardiola insists the Spanish midfielder will only play again once given full medical clearance.
“The moment the official doctor says Rodri can start to play minutes, after that he will start to play minutes… It was a difficult injury… seven to eleven months, the doctor said,” Guardiola told reporters. “Every session he feels better, but we have to be careful.”
Rodri’s absence has coincided with City’s dip in form, with the defending champions currently fourth in the Premier League and battling to secure Champions League qualification. His potential return could provide a crucial boost, especially with the FA Cup still up for grabs, but Guardiola is wary of the risk of relapse.
City face Wolves this Saturday, a side on a red-hot winning streak, in a fixture that could define the final stretch of their season.