Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri made his long-awaited return at the FIFA Club World Cup, and fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relief—until they saw him limping off again. Sure, it was nice to have him back, but if this comeback were a movie, we’d call it The Return of the King: With a Limp.
Rodri played four games in the U.S., which for most mortals might seem impressive after an ACL injury. But for Guardiola’s well-oiled machine, it was more a reminder than a revelation: Rodri is not ready to play every four days—and pretending otherwise is a plot twist City simply can’t afford.
Rodri Looks Sharp… Until He Doesn’t
Let’s not sugarcoat it—Rodri looked as rusty as a 2006 Fiat Punto against Wydad AC. Then again, so would anyone returning from a ligament catastrophe. By the time City faced Juventus, he was beginning to rediscover his rhythm, even bossing the midfield like it was a Sunday stroll in Madrid. But against Al Hilal? Not so much. He came on, huffed, puffed, and then got replaced after coming on. That’s football’s equivalent of getting subbed out at karaoke.
Rodri Needs a Nap—and Maybe a Chiropractor
Guardiola later confirmed Rodri had picked up an “unknown issue” during the game, which is football speak for “we have no clue, but it hurts somewhere.” This, ladies and gents, is why Rodri needs rest—not a relentless fixture list. His fitness levels aren’t quite at Terminator mode yet; they’re more Mr. Bean runs a marathon.
His Recovery Must Be Treated Like Fine Wine
The biggest takeaway? Rodri must be handled with care—like your grandma’s antique vase or City’s chances in the Champions League knockout stages. With a month off before the 25/26 season, the hope is he’ll return fully fit, firing on all cylinders.
Until then, let’s not throw him into the deep end. The man’s a midfield genius, not a miracle worker.
