Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Burnley after experiencing severe knee pain in the same joint where he suffered an ACL tear last season. Speaking after the match, Guardiola revealed the midfielder’s stark message from Friday training: “Rodri said, ‘I’m not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee, I cannot play.’ And I said: ‘You cannot play? You don’t play. So another one is going to play.’ It’s the same knee he had injured.”
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The Training Ground Conversation That Changed Everything
The revelation of Rodri’s latest setback came during Guardiola’s post-match press conference, where the Manchester City manager provided detailed insight into the midfielder’s withdrawal from the Burnley fixture. The conversation between player and manager during Friday’s training session painted a picture of an athlete struggling with persistent discomfort in a previously injured area.
Timeline of Rodri’s Recent Appearances:
| Date | Match | Competition | Minutes Played | Performance Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14 | Tottenham (A) | Premier League | 15 minutes | Substitute appearance |
| September 21 | Brighton (H) | Premier League | 90 minutes | Full match, first start |
| September 24 | Manchester United (A) | Premier League | 76 minutes | Substituted late |
| September 28 | Arsenal (A) | Premier League | 90 minutes | Completed full match |
| September 28 | Burnley (H) | Premier League | 0 minutes | Withdrawn before match |
Guardiola’s straightforward approach to the situation reflected his player-first philosophy when dealing with injury concerns. Rather than attempting to convince Rodri to play through discomfort or seeking a second opinion during match preparations, the City boss immediately accepted the midfielder’s self-assessment and adjusted his team selection accordingly.
The manager’s response—”You cannot play? You don’t play. So another one is going to play“—demonstrated both pragmatism and concern for player welfare. This approach stands in stark contrast to the pressure-cooker environment of elite football, where the temptation to risk key players in crucial matches can sometimes override cautious medical judgment.
The ACL Injury That Changed Manchester City’s Season
To understand the significance of Rodri’s current knee pain, one must revisit the catastrophic injury that derailed both his 2024-25 season and Manchester City’s trophy ambitions. On September 22, 2024, during a heated 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, Rodri suffered what appeared to be an innocuous injury while jostling for position with Thomas Partey during a corner kick.
Rodri’s 2024-25 ACL Injury Timeline:
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| September 22, 2024 | Initial Injury | ACL tear vs Arsenal, 21st minute |
| September 27, 2024 | Surgery | ACL reconstruction plus meniscus repair |
| September 27, 2024 | Prognosis | Ruled out for remainder of 2024-25 season |
| February 28, 2025 | Training Return | Resumed individual training |
| April 30, 2025 | Full Training | Returned to full team training |
| May 2025 | Comeback Target | Targeted end of season/Club World Cup |
| August 2025 | Season Start | Available for 2025-26 campaign |
The diagnosis confirmed everyone’s worst fears: a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage in his right knee. Guardiola’s emotional reaction at the time captured the gravity of the situation: “Next season he will be here. This season is over. Unfortunately, we got the worst news but it is what it is. We don’t have a similar player.”
The impact of Rodri’s absence was immediately apparent and devastatingly consequential. Manchester City, who had won four consecutive Premier League titles with the Spanish midfielder anchoring their midfield, suffered a dramatic decline in form. The team endured a five-game losing streak in November 2024—the first time Guardiola had experienced such a run in his managerial career.
Statistical analysis revealed the stark difference Rodri made to City’s performance. When the midfielder was absent, Manchester City were three times more likely to lose matches compared to when he played. This vulnerability was exposed repeatedly throughout the season, with Liverpool capitalizing to claim the Premier League title by a 20-point margin, and Real Madrid eliminating City from the Champions League.
The Complexity of ACL Recovery and Recurring Issues
Rodri’s current knee pain, affecting the same joint that underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair, raises important questions about the complexity of returning from such serious injuries. Medical experts consistently emphasize that ACL recovery extends far beyond the initial surgical intervention and formal rehabilitation period.
Typical ACL Recovery Stages:
| Phase | Timeline | Focus | Potential Complications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Surgery | 0-6 weeks | Reduce swelling, restore range of motion | Infection, blood clots |
| Early Rehabilitation | 6 weeks – 3 months | Rebuild strength, improve stability | Muscle atrophy, compensatory patterns |
| Advanced Rehabilitation | 3-6 months | Sport-specific training, functional movement | Muscular imbalances, proprioception deficits |
| Return to Play | 6-9 months | Gradual reintegration, load management | Re-injury risk, psychological barriers |
| Post-Return Monitoring | 9-18 months | Continued strengthening, maintenance | Chronic pain, instability, overuse |
Guardiola himself acknowledged these challenges when Rodri initially returned to training, warning: “You have to be careful because when you have an ACL injury, in nine months, the year after, you have problems, muscular problems for sure. So that’s why it’s longer. I think Rodri will not [return] to his best for eight or nine months.”
The first season following ACL reconstruction represents a particularly vulnerable period for athletes. During this time, several factors can contribute to ongoing issues:
Neuromuscular Readaptation: Even after formal clearance, the knee joint, surrounding muscles, tendons, and nerves require additional time to fully readapt to the explosive demands of elite football. The nervous system must relearn optimal activation patterns, and any deficiencies in this process can manifest as discomfort or instability.
Compensatory Strain: Athletes recovering from significant knee injuries often unconsciously alter their movement patterns to protect the affected joint. These compensations can overload other structures, creating new areas of vulnerability while the surgically repaired knee continues adapting.
Psychological Factors: Fear of re-injury, hesitation during certain movements, and guarding behaviors can all affect performance and potentially increase injury risk through altered biomechanics. These mental hurdles often persist longer than physical limitations.
Workload Management Challenges: Determining the optimal balance between conditioning, match participation, and recovery remains exceptionally difficult. Too little activity risks deconditioning, while excessive demands may overwhelm tissues still adapting to high-level competition.
Manchester City’s Midfield Crisis and Tactical Adaptations
Rodri’s absence from the Burnley match forced Guardiola to once again reconfigure his midfield setup, a challenge that has become familiar during the Spanish midfielder’s injury travails. Young Portuguese midfielder Nico Gonzalez, formerly of FC Porto, was entrusted with the starting role in Rodri’s preferred position at the base of midfield.
Manchester City’s Rodri Replacements This Season:
| Player | Position | Games as Rodri Replacement | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico Gonzalez | Defensive Midfield | 4 | Youth, energy, progressive passing | Inexperience, positional discipline |
| Rico Lewis | Defensive Midfield | 3 | Versatility, technical ability | Physical presence, defensive awareness |
| Mateo Kovacic | Central Midfield | 5 | Ball retention, experience | Injury prone, lacks Rodri’s defensive impact |
While Manchester City’s 5-1 victory over Burnley suggested the team could cope without their talismanic midfielder, previous experience demonstrates the significant difference Rodri makes against higher-quality opposition. The Citizens scored five goals through two Maxime Estève own goals, an Erling Haaland brace, and a Matheus Nunes strike, dominating a Burnley side struggling near the relegation zone.
However, the upcoming fixtures present far sterner tests of City’s ability to function without Rodri. The Champions League clash with Monaco represents precisely the type of match where the Spanish midfielder’s presence becomes invaluable—controlling tempo, disrupting opposition attacks, and providing the defensive stability that allows City’s attacking stars to flourish.
Guardiola has previously admitted that Manchester City lacks a player with Rodri’s unique combination of attributes. The midfielder’s tactical intelligence, positioning, passing range, and defensive capabilities create a profile that cannot be replicated simply by inserting another body into the formation.
The Broader Context: Player Welfare and Fixture Congestion
Rodri’s injury history and current setback occur against the backdrop of increasing concerns about player welfare and the relentless fixture congestion in modern football. The Spanish midfielder himself became a prominent voice on this issue shortly before his original ACL injury in September 2024.
Just days before suffering the knee damage against Arsenal, Rodri publicly warned that top players could consider strike action due to the excessive number of matches they are required to play. His comments specifically addressed the expansion of existing competitions and introduction of new tournaments that continuously add to an already overwhelming schedule.
The Champions League underwent expansion for the 2024-25 season, adding two extra group stage matches to each participating team’s fixture list. Additionally, the revamped FIFA Club World Cup—expanded to 32 teams for the first time—was scheduled for June and July 2025, encroaching on what would traditionally be an off-season recovery period.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag echoed these concerns at the time, stating that the risk of more injuries to top players was “almost unavoidable” because of the increased demands. The subsequent injury crisis that affected multiple clubs throughout the 2024-25 season appeared to validate these warnings.
Rodri’s case exemplifies the dangers of insufficient recovery time. After helping Spain win Euro 2024 in July, he had minimal time to rest before returning for Manchester City’s 2025-26 season preparations. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season, causing him to miss the campaign’s opening weeks. Upon returning, he played just 135 minutes across a handful of matches before the catastrophic ACL injury occurred.
Now, having worked diligently through an eight-month rehabilitation process, Rodri faces renewed knee problems potentially linked to the aggressive return timeline required by Manchester City’s competitive schedule. The midfielder started three matches in an eight-day span (Manchester United, Napoli, Arsenal) before the pain became unbearable.
Impact on Manchester City’s Season Objectives
The timing of Rodri’s latest setback could not be more problematic for Manchester City’s ambitions across multiple competitions. With the team currently seventh in the Premier League table following their victory over Burnley, every match carries significant weight in the title race.
Manchester City’s Upcoming Fixtures:
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Venue | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2 | Monaco | Champions League | Away | Group stage crucial match |
| October 5 | Brentford | Premier League | Away | Maintaining title challenge |
| October 19 | Wolves | Premier League | Home | Post-international break |
| October 23 | Sparta Prague | Champions League | Away | European progression |
The Monaco fixture presents an immediate challenge that could define City’s Champions League campaign. Having opened with a 2-0 home victory over Napoli, a positive result in France would significantly strengthen their position in the competition’s new league-phase format. However, facing the principality club without their defensive midfield anchor substantially increases the difficulty of this assignment.
Guardiola’s tactical approach may require significant modification in Rodri’s absence. The manager could opt for a more conservative setup, potentially sacrificing some attacking potency to maintain defensive solidity. Alternatively, he might embrace a higher-risk strategy, accepting greater vulnerability in transition while maximizing City’s formidable attacking resources.
The broader Premier League title race adds another layer of pressure. Manchester City’s pursuit of an unprecedented fifth consecutive championship already faces challenges, and any extended absence for Rodri could prove decisive in what promises to be a tightly contested campaign.
Medical Evaluation and Potential Return Timeline
Following Rodri’s withdrawal from the Burnley squad, Manchester City’s medical staff will conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine the nature and severity of his current knee issues. The club faces a delicate balancing act between thorough assessment and the urgent need for clarity ahead of crucial fixtures.
Several diagnostic approaches will likely be employed:
Physical Examination: Assessing range of motion, stability, swelling, and specific pain locations to identify the source of discomfort.
Imaging Studies: MRI scans can reveal soft tissue changes, inflammation, or structural concerns not visible through physical examination alone.
Biomechanical Analysis: Video analysis of Rodri’s recent movements may identify compensatory patterns or mechanics that could be contributing to the pain.
Load Monitoring Review: Examining training and match data to determine whether workload accumulation has exceeded the knee’s current capacity.
The critical question facing City’s medical team centers on whether this represents a minor inflammatory response to increased activity—something that might resolve with short-term rest and modified training—or a more significant issue requiring intervention and potentially longer absence.
Guardiola’s comment that “it’s the same knee” he had injured carries ominous implications. Recurring problems in a previously reconstructed knee can indicate various issues: insufficient healing time before return, inadequate rehabilitation, structural vulnerability, or simply the reality that ACL-repaired knees often remain somewhat compromised compared to never-injured joints.
Guardiola’s Player-First Philosophy on Display
The manner in which Guardiola handled Rodri’s withdrawal offers insight into the manager’s approach to player health and welfare. His immediate acceptance of the midfielder’s assessment—without apparent frustration, pressure, or attempt to convince him otherwise—demonstrates a mature perspective on injury management.
This philosophy stands in notable contrast to historical examples throughout football where players have been encouraged or pressured to play through discomfort, sometimes with catastrophic long-term consequences. Guardiola’s willingness to immediately pivot to alternative plans reflects both respect for his player’s self-knowledge and understanding of the risks involved in forcing participation from someone experiencing significant pain.
The manager’s matter-of-fact explanation—”When a player tells me he cannot play, I have to listen. The most important thing is his health“—articulates a principle that should be standard throughout professional sport but too often gets compromised by competitive pressures and short-term thinking.
This approach also recognizes the reality that professional athletes generally possess keen awareness of their bodies’ signals. When Rodri, who has previously played through various minor discomforts as all elite athletes must, explicitly states he cannot play due to pain severity, that represents a significant red flag deserving immediate attention rather than dismissal.
FAQs
What injury is Rodri currently dealing with?
Rodri is experiencing severe knee pain in the same right knee where he suffered an ACL tear and meniscus damage last season. The exact nature of the current issue is being evaluated by Manchester City’s medical staff, but it forced him to withdraw from the squad before the Burnley match.
When did Rodri originally injure his knee?
Rodri suffered a torn ACL and meniscus damage on September 22, 2024, during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. He underwent surgery on September 27, 2024, and missed eight months of action before returning at the end of the 2024-25 season.
What did Guardiola say about Rodri’s knee pain?
Guardiola revealed that during Friday training, Rodri told him: “I’m not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee, I cannot play.” The manager confirmed it’s the same knee that was previously injured and immediately ruled him out of the Burnley match.
How important is Rodri to Manchester City’s success?
Statistics show Manchester City are three times more likely to lose matches when Rodri is absent. During his eight-month injury absence last season, City lost the Premier League title by 20 points to Liverpool and were eliminated from the Champions League by Real Madrid.
Will Rodri be available for Manchester City’s Champions League match against Monaco?
Rodri is considered a major doubt for the Monaco fixture. Guardiola stated he doesn’t know the timeline yet and that the club needs to carefully evaluate the situation before determining when the midfielder can return to action.
