• 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.

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The Ballon d’Or winner suffered the setback just five weeks into the campaign, with Guardiola initially ruling him out until the following year. However, Rodri remained determined to return in time for the Club World Cup in July.

That optimism grew last week as the 28-year-old resumed individual training—a significant milestone, even though he remains far from full match fitness.

Now, Guardiola admits there’s a chance Rodri could meet his ambitious target of returning before the 2024/25 season wraps up.

“The fans should know they’re not the only ones excited,” Guardiola said. “It’s been five or six months, but we have to take it step by step. We can’t make reckless decisions to rush his return.

“He’s still not close, but he’s touching the ball again, he’s back in the dressing room, and he feels confident and happy. Initially, I didn’t expect him to return before the end of the season or even for the Club World Cup—but now, maybe it’s possible.”

City have battled injuries all season, and their struggles continue, with Guardiola confirming that Nathan Ake could be facing a lengthy spell out, joining fellow defenders John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the sidelines.

🚨🔵 Pep Guardiola: “Rodri looks good! I could not expect before… but maybe BEFORE end of the season he’s going to help us!”.@BeanymanSports 🎥 pic.twitter.com/LHDuo9P4rJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 2, 2025

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This prestigious lineup celebrates the exceptional performances of the most outstanding players over the past year.

The FIFPRO World 11 (2024):

Goalkeeper

• Ederson (Manchester City, Brazil)

Defenders

• Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
• Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid, Germany)

Midfielders

• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
• Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
• Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany)
• Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)

Forwards

• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
• Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid, France)
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid, Brazil)

This year’s selection highlights Manchester City’s dominance, with four players representing the club, a testament to their remarkable success during the 2023/2024 season. Real Madrid also made a strong showing, further underscoring their influence in global football.

The FIFPRO World 11 is unique among football awards as it is decided exclusively by professional players, offering unparalleled authenticity and recognition from peers.

The lineup underscores the brilliance of these stars and their contributions to the game over the past year.

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• FIFPRO announces its shortlist for 2024

FIFA has unveiled the final shortlist of 26 players nominated for inclusion in the 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, celebrating their outstanding performances for their respective clubs.

This exclusive award is determined by the players themselves, making it the only global honor based solely on votes from professional footballers. Manchester City leads with eight representatives in the shortlist, a testament to their exceptional performances across all competitions last season.

The FIFPRO Men’s World XI aims to assemble the best starting XI from the top football talent worldwide over the past year. The nominees come from a pool of over 28,000 professional footballers spanning 70 countries. Each player selects the top three goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards from an initial list of 250 candidates.

The final team consists of the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards with the highest number of votes. The remaining outfield player with the most votes completes the prestigious XI.

Who are the players on FIFPRO’s final shortlist for 2024?

Goalkeepers:

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FIFA has announced the 11 nominees for the highly anticipated 2024 Best FIFA Men’s Player award. The nominees were selected based on performances between August 23, 2023, and August 10, 2024.

Votes from fans, football experts, national team coaches, captains, and journalists will determine the winner of the coveted accolade.

Last year’s winner, Lionel Messi, returns to the shortlist following another remarkable season. Messi led Argentina to Copa America glory and achieved domestic success in the United States, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami.

Notably, Messi is the only nominee representing a club outside Europe.

Real Madrid dominates the list with five players nominated. The reigning La Liga and Champions League champions are represented by Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Dani Carvajal, and Federico Valverde. Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, who retired this summer, also features on the list, highlighting his enduring impact on the sport.

Manchester City also boasts two nominees. Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is expected to be a strong contender, while Erling Haaland’s phenomenal goal-scoring form ensures his place as a serious challenger for the award.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal earns recognition after a breakthrough season. The 17-year-old played a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph and claimed the prestigious Kopa Trophy during the October Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Rounding out the nominees is Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. The young German midfielder’s standout performances for both club and country have solidified his reputation as one of football’s brightest stars.

With a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, the 2024 Best FIFA Men’s Player award promises a thrilling competition. Fans and experts alike will eagerly await the final results at the forthcoming awards ceremony.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 nominees

• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
• Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
• Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
• Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
• Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
• Toni Kroos (Retired)
• Rodri (Manchester City)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
• Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

🚨 OFFICIAL: The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 nominees released tonight. ✨ pic.twitter.com/fWRa8BJhgJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 28, 2024

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His performances throughout the season have been nothing short of exceptional, leading Manchester City to their fourth consecutive Premier League title and securing Euro 2024 glory with Spain, where they defeated England in a dominant final performance.

RODRI IS THE 2024 MEN’S BALLON D’OR! #ballondor @ManCity @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/heWvSQsOxn

— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024

Despite strong competition from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who many expected to win due to his La Liga and Champions League success, Rodri’s consistent excellence ultimately tipped the scales in his favor.

He stood out not only for his defensive prowess but also his clutch contributions, scoring nine goals and providing 14 assists across 50 appearances for City in an outstanding season.

His dominance on the pitch continued until the FA Cup final, where he endured his only defeat of the campaign against Manchester United.

The first words of our 2024 Ballon d’Or, Rodri! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/HbcPorxTlp

— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024

With this win, Rodri joins an elite list of players, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Kaka, becoming the first Spanish player to lift the Ballon d’Or since Luis Suarez in 1960.

His award marks a monumental achievement, celebrating a defensive midfielder’s influence on the global stage—a feat that hadn’t been accomplished before in Ballon d’Or history.

HERE IS THE 2024 BALLON D’OR RANKING! #ballondor @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/3aPyAe5yAr

— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) October 28, 2024

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The 30 players vying for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which honors the best male player in the world over the past season, have been announced.

Real Madrid stars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior are the leading contenders, with either potentially becoming only the fifth different winner in the last 17 years, following two decades of dominance by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Both Bellingham and Vinicius had outstanding seasons, helping Real Madrid secure La Liga and the Champions League titles, with Bellingham scoring 23 goals and Vinicius 24.

However, their hopes for international success fell short, with Bellingham’s England losing in the Euro 2024 final and Vinicius’ Brazil underperforming in the Copa America.

Other top contenders include Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Nico Williams, and Lamine Yamal, all of whom will be aiming for high placements in the final rankings.

Notably, many expected Messi to be nominated after leading Argentina to another Copa America victory, but the 37-year-old did not make the shortlist. Ronaldo was also left out for the second consecutive year, marking the first time in 21 years that neither has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

Ballon d’or 2024 nominees

• Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
• Ruben Dias – Man City/Portugal
• Phil Foden – Man City/England
• Federico Valverde – Real Madrid/Uruguay
• Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa/Argentina
• Erling Haaland – Man City/Norway
• Nico Williams – Athletic Club/Spain
• Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen/Switzerland
• Artem Dovbyk – Girona/Roma/Ukraine
• Toni Kroos – Real Madrid/Germany
• Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid/Brazil
• Dani Olmo – RB Leipzig/Barcelona/Spain
• Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen/Germany

They're all here!

But… who should win it? #ballondor pic.twitter.com/SrkHBrJtuI

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 4, 2024

• Martin Odegaard – Arsenal/Norway
• Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund/Roma/Germany
• Rodri – Man City/Spain
• Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England
• Declan Rice- Arsenal/England
• Vitinha – PSG/Portugal
• Cole Palmer – Chelsea/England
• Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid/Spain
• Lamine Yamal – Barcelona/Spain
• Bukayo Saka – Arsenal/England
• Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter/Turkey
• William Saliba – Arsenal/France
• Kylian Mbappe – PSG/Real Madrid/France
• Lautaro Martinez – Inter/Argentina
• Ademola Lookman – Atalanta/Nigeria
• Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid/Germany
• Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen/Spain

Here's the full recap of the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or nominees!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/B9AG4nrc0N

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 4, 2024

When is the Ballon d’Or 2024 winner announced?

The Ballon d’Or will be presented to the best male player on 28 October at the annual ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

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The winner of the UEFA Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament was confirmed in an official announcement after the final game of the competition.

Spain achieved a double triumph in the Euro 2024 individual awards, with Rodri winning the Player of the Tournament prize and Lamine Yamal taking home the Young Player of the Tournament award.

🏆 Player of the Tournament: Rodri #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/sxKEu8Fe4h

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

🏆 Young Player of the Tournament: Lamine Yamal #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Mb8HEU2alr

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

Luis de la Fuente’s side were the best team from start to finish this summer, leaving little room for complaints about their success in Germany.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri continued his ruthless run of glory with an unbeaten summer. His campaign nearly hit a snag when he was substituted at halftime in the final against England, likely due to injury. However, missing the all-important final 45 minutes did not tarnish his reputation, as Rodri ultimately secured the Player of the Tournament prize.

Yamal had been among the favourites to win the overall individual award but was always expected to secure the Young Player of the Tournament trophy. The teenager, who broke Pelé’s record as the youngest male starter in a major tournament final, dazzled throughout the competition, finishing with four assists and a stunning strike in the semi-final.

The world is at his feet 🌍#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/ylFyJwq0YP

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 14, 2024

Truthfully, there were several Spain players deserving of individual honours at the end of this impressive campaign. Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo both shone in midfield, while Athletic Club winger Nico Williams concluded his tournament with a goal in the final.

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Manchester City midfielder Rodri expressed his frustration after their Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid, stating that “only one team” was truly attempting to win during the match. Despite City’s dominance in possession and numerous attempts on goal, it was Real Madrid who emerged victorious.

In the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, City controlled the game, outshooting their opponents by a significant margin. However, it was Real Madrid who took the lead through Rodrygo’s goal, putting them ahead on aggregate. City managed to equalize in the 76th minute with Kevin De Bruyne’s goal, forcing the match into extra time. Despite City’s efforts, Real Madrid ultimately won 4-3 on penalties. Rodri’s comments highlight the frustration felt by City’s players after a match where their dominance did not translate into victory.

“To be honest, I saw only one team. In terms of defending, they defended [well]. They knew how to suffer and we know how tough Real Madrid are,” Rodri said to reporters afterwards.

“In my opinion, we should go through with that amount of chances, but this is the trick of this competition. They know how to play it. We congratulate [Madrid]. We gave everything, there is nothing to regret. This is football sometimes. This shows how difficult it is to win it, as we did last season. It was very frustrating and sometimes it is difficult to explain.”

Pep Guardiola echoed the sentiment that Manchester City deserved to progress in the Champions League based on their performance, implying that their efforts should have been recognized on “merit.”

However, he acknowledged that the tournament does not always align with such perceptions, suggesting a discrepancy between performance and outcome in the context of the Champions League.

He reflected: “We know that this competition does not understand merits, it understands to put the ball in. It is true that the only one they have had was put in, and we have been in tow the entire game and we have managed to tie.”

Manchester City’s season still holds the promise of clinching two trophies, with the team currently leading the Premier League with six games remaining and being considered favorites among the final four teams to win the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid is also pursuing dual triumphs, as they are poised to reclaim the La Liga title and are on the hunt for their record-extending 15th Champions League trophy. Both clubs are in contention for multiple accolades, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season as they vie for glory on multiple fronts.

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Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for August 2023.

Following his summer transfer from Leicester City, Maddison has settled in well at Spurs.

Shortly after his arrival, he was named one of Son Heung-min’s new vice-captains for the team. He also received Harry Kane’s number 10 shirt after Kane moved to Bayern Munich.

Early on in his Tottenham career under Ange Postecoglou, Maddison has shown promise. In their opening weekend 2-2 tie at Brentford, he contributed two assists, and a week later, he scored the first goal in a 2-0 triumph at Bournemouth.

Between those two games, the England international was instrumental in Spurs’ 2-0 victory over Manchester United at home.

Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest, Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United, Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford, Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion, and Rodri of Manchester City were the other players nominated for the August award.

What a start to life with @SpursOfficial! 🎯

Your @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month for August is @Madders10!#PLAwards pic.twitter.com/S5u3bhdcL8

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 15, 2023

Maddison’s triumph marks the 25th occasion someone from Tottenham has won the Premier League Player of the Month award.

While his on-pitch performances have been superb, Maddison has also quickly won over the Spurs faithful with comments about his desire to join the club.

“I could just see myself playing for Tottenham, I could just see myself in that team, in that kit, in that stadium. It just fitted well for me,” he said in a recent interview.

“They’ve always had…that sort of midfielder who wants to be creative, entertain the fans and be a personality.”

Maddison and Tottenham return to Premier League action on Saturday with the visit of Sheffield United.

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The Premier League has announced the six nominees for the Player of the Month award for August 2023.

The club season resumed last month, with three rounds of Premier League activity in August, followed by another at the start of September before the international break.

Here are the nominees.

Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 3

After settling back into life in England slowly, Taiwo Awoniyi is now firmly established as one of the Premier League’s most difficult attackers to control.

The Nigerian player helped Nottingham Forest avoid relegation by scoring 10 goals in 27 league games at the end of the 2022–23 season, and he’s off to a strong start this time around.

Awoniyi scored in each of Forest’s three Premier League games in August, even in close losses against Manchester United and Arsenal on the road.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 1

Many predicted West Ham United would fight relegation this season after they lost club captain Declan Rice to Arsenal and were unable to find a replacement for him quickly.

But with David Moyes still in charge, the Hammers are revitalized, and they have already won some games this season.

Jarrod Bowen was instrumental in their winning streak over Brighton & Hove Albion and drew against Bournemouth in August. He also provided an assist in the latter game.

The @PremierLeague #POTM has returned.

Decide who deserves to be crowned the winner. Vote now: https://t.co/p5a7hHYUWi pic.twitter.com/QsCDRFZ1Xh

— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) September 7, 2023

James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 2

Upon his arrival at Tottenham Hotspur, new signing James Maddison revealed a telling quote from incoming head coach Ange Postecoglou that helped persuade him to join the club.

“He said one thing to me on the call, I hope he won’t mind me saying this, but he said, ‘whether you come or not, you’re going to see a completely different Spurs team under me’, and that kind of stuck with me that he said that. I thought ‘wow there’s that same self belief that I’ve got in myself’,” Maddison revealed in June.

Spurs have been outstanding early in the season, with Maddison grabbing three goal contributions in August.

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 3

Many people questioned how Brentford would cope without their talisman as Ivan Toney wouldn’t return until January.

Bryan Mbeumo has successfully entered the intense limelight. The forward from Cameroon put an end to the Bees’ undefeated August with three goals, including a brace against rival Fulham in west London.

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 2

Over the summer, there were predictions that Kaoru Mitoma would be a one-season wonder and a passing fad.

The international from Japan swiftly put his critics to rest with an amazing August that included a potential season-best goal on the road at Wolves.

Rodri (Manchester City)

• Appearances: 3
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 1

After scoring the game-winning goal against Inter in the Champions League final in June, Rodri has cemented his place as a fan favourite at Manchester City.

The midfielder has continued to display his Midas touch in the new campaign, scoring spectacular goals in wins at Burnley and Sheffield United.

Here are the nominees for @EASPORTSFC Player of the Month… 🥁

🌳 @taiwoawoniyi18
⚒️ @_JarrodBowen
⚪️ @Madders10
🐝 @BMbeumo19
🌊 @kaoru_mitoma
🔵 Rodri#PLAwards | 🗳️ https://t.co/z9toFkGBoP pic.twitter.com/aCwp0SzX3B

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 7, 2023

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The most underappreciated player in the Premier League, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko, is Thomas Partey, an Arsenal colleague.

When Mikel Arteta’s team finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League standings the previous season, Partey was a crucial part of the midfield for Arsenal.

Partey is now playing at right-back, which is a stunning change for the beginning of the season after Declan Rice’s signing in the summer.

However, Zinchenko believes that Partey is the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League and prefers him above Rodri and Casemiro.

When asked who he thought was the most underappreciated player in the Premier League, Zinchenko responded, “Underrated… I envision Thomas Partey.

Asked if he feels Partey is better than Casemiro, Zinchenko replied: ‘Listen, I don’t want to say something bad, he’s absolutely a world-class player as well, Casemiro, five Champions Leagues. But for me, if you wanted me to choose one, it would be Partey.

‘I had the debate in my head, who is the best holding midfielder I have ever played with. It was between Fernandinho, Rodri and Partey.

‘It’s a tough one. I watched Fernandinho when he was at Shakhtar and he helped me so much. I love him like an older brother, but Thomas Partey… I don’t know.’

Asked by Rio Ferdinand if he believes Partey is better than Rodri, Zinchenko replied: ‘Rio, please come and see him in a training session. He has everything.

‘Rodri absolutely fits so well in City’s system, if you take him out it is a different City, for sure, no question. He is the main detail and that is the hardest position to play.’

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