It was all going smoothly—or as smoothly as it ever goes when you’re easing a Rolls-Royce like Rodri back onto the pitch after an ACL injury. Pep Guardiola knew there would be bumps along the way, but Rodri’s brief re-emergence during Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign ended with more questions than answers. After 172 minutes of gentle grooving back into rhythm, the Spaniard felt something—and no, it wasn’t the samba beat of Al Hilal’s surprise victory.
The Rodri Puzzle: One Piece Missing
Guardiola, not one for melodrama, dismissed the concern post-match like a man explaining why the soufflé collapsed. “He complained about his situation,” Pep shrugged—as if Rodri had merely forgotten his charger, not tweaked something important in his leg. The midfielder didn’t appear in pain, but he also didn’t look like the metronomic colossus City fans adore. A minor setback, yes. But when you’re the backbone of Guardiola’s footballing symphony, even a twinge causes a shiver down the Etihad spine.
Rodri Rehab Round Two?
With the squad now sunning themselves somewhere far from the Camping World Stadium, Rodri has four weeks to get his engine humming again before training resumes on July 28. Yet it’s clear that unless City squeezes in a couple of friendlies—maybe even a quiet kickabout in Pep’s backyard—Rodri may be short of minutes. And let’s be honest: easing Rodri into a Premier League season is like asking Picasso to start with stick figures.
Will He Be Ready for Wolves?
The Premier League kicks off August 16 at Molineux, and Guardiola will be hoping Rodri is fit enough to boss the midfield. But caution is key. Nobody wants to see the maestro sidelined again because he jumped into fifth gear too soon. The silver lining? City fans know that if anyone can turn a setback into a masterclass, it’s Rodri.
Let’s just hope this summer’s only Spanish drama is Love Island.
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