Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that midfielder Rodri might make a comeback before the Premier League season concludes.
The Ballon d’Or winner was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in September. However, he has recently returned to individual training, raising hopes of an earlier-than-expected recovery.
Although Rodri had previously expressed optimism about playing again this season, Guardiola had been more cautious, emphasizing that rushing his return could be risky. Now, the manager acknowledges that the midfielder’s progress has surpassed expectations, potentially allowing him to feature in some Premier League matches before the season ends and possibly play in the Club World Cup this summer.
Guardiola stated:
“Fans should know that they are not the only ones excited. But we must take things step by step and avoid making rash decisions that could lead to setbacks. His recovery is going well, but he’s still not close to returning to action.”
“He’s back to touching the ball, interacting with teammates in the dressing room, and feeling more positive. Initially, I didn’t expect this, but now there’s a chance he could return before the Premier League season concludes—maybe even before the Club World Cup.”
If Rodri does return sooner than anticipated, it will be a huge boost for City as they push for success in both domestic and international competitions.