Manchester City midfielder Rodri faces the possibility of missing the start of the Premier League season due to an injury sustained during the Club World Cup, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who missed most of last season recovering from an ACL tear, suffered a new setback believed to be a groin injury in the 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal on June 30. Rodri, a second-half substitute, left the match in extra time.

“Rodri is improving but he has been dealing with a significant injury for the past five or six weeks since the game against Al-Hilal,” Guardiola said. “He’s been training and has gotten better in the last few days. Hopefully, by the international break, he will be fully fit.”

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Manchester City, which struggled in midfield without Rodri last season, begins its 2025-26 Premier League campaign against Wolves next Saturday, followed by fixtures against Tottenham and Brighton before the September international break.

Guardiola added there is a chance Rodri could feature for some minutes before the break.

Meanwhile, midfielder Phil Foden will miss Saturday’s friendly against Palermo in Sicily due to a minor ankle knock. Guardiola said the absence is a precautionary measure and expects Foden to be ready for the season opener.

Source: Agency