Manchester City have confirmed that midfielder Rodri has undergone back surgery and will be unavailable for a short period of rehabilitation, dealing the club another injury setback ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The Premier League champions said the Spain international had been experiencing discomfort for some time before undergoing the procedure. The club did not provide a specific timeline for his return.
In a statement, Manchester City said Rodri had been feeling back pain and had now undergone an operation to address the issue.
The club added that the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner would now begin rehabilitation before returning to action.
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Speaking before the surgery, Manchester City manager, Enzo Maresca, said Rodri needed time away from football to recover fully.
“He needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us,” Maresca said on Friday.
The 29-year-old is expected to miss Manchester City’s opening fixtures of the new campaign, including the Community Shield against Arsenal on 16 August and the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on 23 August.
Rodri’s latest setback comes after two injury-affected seasons.
He missed most of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, an absence that significantly affected Manchester City’s midfield balance during that season.
Despite those injury problems, Rodri returned to lead Spain to victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament following a series of influential performances.
The midfielder has also been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid throughout the summer transfer window.
Rodri has one year remaining on his current contract with Manchester City, although the club has not indicated any intention to sell the Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder.
Since joining City from Atlético Madrid in 2019, Rodri has established himself as one of Europe’s leading defensive midfielders, helping the club win multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups and the UEFA Champions League. His composure in possession, tactical awareness and ability to dictate matches have made him a key figure for both club and country.
Manchester City will now monitor his recovery as they prepare for another domestic and European campaign under Maresca.
