Rodri set for surgery on mystery injury as Man City face early pre-season blow

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is set to undergo surgery on a mystery injury once Spain’s World Cup campaign ends, according to a report from the Daily Mail, dealing an early blow to new head coach Enzo Maresca.

Spain are scheduled to face Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday and are among the favourites to advance deep into the tournament. Once their campaign concludes, Rodri is expected to go under the knife, though the Daily Mail suggests there is hope the setback will not prove too severe.

The timing is significant for Maresca, who was appointed on a three-year deal after Manchester City agreed a compensation fee with Chelsea. The Italian coach will now be without one of his most influential players during his first pre-season in charge. “Manchester City is a club I know very well and to have the chance to manage this team is a brilliant opportunity for me,” Maresca said upon signing. “I cannot wait to start coaching the players. I want us to win, play good football and enjoy the pressure of representing Manchester City.”

The surgery would mark another fitness setback for Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who has battled to regain full sharpness since suffering an ACL injury almost two years ago.

The news arrives against a complicated contractual backdrop. Rodri is entering the final 12 months of his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has an offer from the club on the table, but talks are reported to have stalled amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. He would be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs on 1 January and join them on a free transfer next summer.

Manchester City declined to comment on the reports. Defender Nathan Ake is also in the final year of his contract, leaving the club with further decisions to navigate before the transfer window closes.