Manchester City midfielder Rodri will have surgery on a back problem on Monday, new boss Enzo Maresca said at his first press conference since taking over at the Etihad
“He was one of the best players and I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he’s a top player,” Maresca said, according to BBC, “but now surgery on Monday I think and he needs a holiday. He needs to have some rest, he needs to recover and then he will be back here with us”
🚨 Enzo Maresca: “Rodri will have surgery on a back problem on Monday. He needs holiday, he needs to rest, recovery, and then he will be back here with us”.
“Every manager wants to have Rodri, because he’s a top player”. pic.twitter.com/UIr5wlj6S9
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 24, 2026
Rodri’s disappointment comes days after he capped a glorious summer with Spain by winning the Golden Ball after his country lifted the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final.
Prior to the World Cup, he had an ACL injury that kept him out of action for about 220 days and more than 50 games in the 2024-25 season, a period in which he managed only 17 Premier League starts last term.
The new City head coach will be tested early as Rodri is likely to miss the club’s pre-season tour and possibly the beginning of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, which begins against Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on August 23.
Maresca has already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a £116m deal which gives City some midfield cover with Rodri out.
Maresca also responded to speculation linking Rodri with a move to Real Madrid, insisting the midfielder is still on his radar when fit and that City are in talks to extend his contract which has just a year remaining.
