Rodri To Miss Start Of Season After Back Surgery

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing back surgery, though the club has described his absence as a “short period of rehabilitation.”

The 28-year-old Spaniard, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him to Real Madrid following his standout performances in Spain’s World Cup victory this month, where he was named player of the tournament.

The procedure addresses discomfort Rodri had been feeling for some time, according to a club statement. His past two seasons have been marred by injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament that kept him out for most of City’s 2024-25 campaign.

City open their Premier League season against Bournemouth on 23 August, following the Community Shield clash with Arsenal on 16 August.

In other squad news, defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract through 2031, the club confirmed. The 24-year-old Croatia international, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2023, has made 122 appearances and won six trophies with City.