Rodri to undergo back surgery after World Cup win
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- Rodri is set to undergo minor back surgery, making him a doubt for Manchester City's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 23
- The 30-year-old captained Spain to a World Cup final victory over Argentina on Sunday and won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament
- Rodri was already not expected to feature in the Community Shield against Arsenal following his World Cup campaign
- The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner's recent injury history includes a September 2024 ACL tear that limited him to 3 Premier League matches in 2024/25 and 21 top-flight outings last season
- Manchester City have one year left on Rodri's contract with Real Madrid linked as a suitor, but new boss Enzo Maresca and the club want him to sign a new deal
- Rodri told Fox Sports his comeback was meant as inspiration: "When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life."
Why it matters: Losing Rodri for the Premier League opener — and potentially several weeks — hands incoming manager Enzo Maresca an immediate midfield headache, while the surgery compounds leverage questions for City: their 30-year-old talisman has one year left on his deal, a documented injury history, and Real Madrid circling.
