By David Ornstein and Pol Ballus
1h ago
Rodri is set to be ruled out for a significant period of time after suffering a serious knee injury in the Premier League draw with Arsenal and there are fears he may not return this season.
The Manchester City midfielder went down clutching his right knee and was forced off after 21 minutes at the Etihad Stadium. He stumbled and fell after making a front-post run at a corner while being marshalled by Thomas Partey.
He immediately appeared in pain and a number of his team-mates quickly gestured for him to receive medical attention.
Rodri walked off the pitch accompanied by two members of the City medical staff and was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
Tests have now revealed a serious injury and with further examinations to take place in Spain, there is still no official timeline for his recovery. However, sources close to the player have suggested he may be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Without him City went behind before fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw to return to the top of the Premier League.
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Sunday’s fixture was Rodri’s first start of the season as Pep Guardiola eased him back into action following his involvement in the summer’s European Championship.
The 28-year-old was replaced at half-time during Spain’s victory over England in the final due to a hamstring injury and only returned to training the Wednesday before the Premier League season kicked off.
On Tuesday, Rodri said professional players are “close” to going on strike due to the increasing number of matches in the football calendar.
The Spain international played 4,327 minutes across 50 games for his club last season and faces the prospect of an 11-month long campaign in 2024-25 if City reach the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, which is scheduled for July 13 next year.
Asked if there was a possibility of players going on strike over the soaring number of matches, Rodri said: “Yes, I think we are close to that. If it keeps this way we will have no other option. It is something that worries us.”
Rodri was injured in the first half against Arsenal (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
A recent FIFPro report on player welfare concluded that the 2024-25 season is set to be the “worst” in terms of workload.
“Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform at the highest level,” Rodri added. “After that you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level. This year we are maybe going to go until 70 or maybe 80. In my humble opinion, I think it is too much.
“Someone has to take care of us because we are the main characters of this, let’s say, sport, or business, whatever you want to call it.
“Not everything is about money or marketing. It is about the quality of the show. In my opinion, when I am not tired I perform better. If people want to see better football then we need to rest.”
City are next in action against Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening. Their next Premier League fixture comes away at Newcastle United on Saturday.
(Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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