Rodri injury threatens Manchester City's bargaining position on expiring deal

Spain's World Cup-winning captain Rodri faces a prolonged period on the sidelines and potential back surgery. The issue emerged days after he led his national team to a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

For Manchester City, the timing of this diagnosis is financially damaging. The 30-year-old’s contract expires next June, placing the club in a precarious position regarding one of its most valuable assets. A prolonged absence removes any immediate leverage City might have had in negotiations, whether the aim is to secure a new deal or facilitate a summer transfer.

This back problem is merely the latest in a brutal cycle of physical setbacks that have degraded the player's reliability. It began with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in September 2024, an injury that sidelined him for the bulk of that campaign.

His attempts to return were thwarted by further damage, including an injury at the Fifa Club World Cup in July 2025, followed by hamstring and groin issues. Across last season, these cumulative problems restricted Rodri to just 17 Premier League starts, a stark drop in on-pitch contribution that inevitably impacts his valuation in the transfer market.

The financial calculus for any prospective buyer is now highly complex. Rodri recently reaffirmed his desire to eventually play in Spain, with Real Madrid considered his preferred destination. However, the Spanish giants have not yet submitted a concrete proposal, and the immediate need for back surgery gives them no incentive to rush an offer for an injury-prone asset.

Enzo Maresca, Manchester City’s new manager, remains keen to retain the midfielder. Yet the club’s hierarchy must now calculate whether committing significant wages to a player approaching his thirties with a severe injury history represents sound financial stewardship.

After receiving the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, Rodri reflected on his ongoing battle for fitness. “For me, it’s been a very tough time,” he said. “I just want the new generations to see my example as an opportunity. When you go down, you can rise again. This is my philosophy for my entire life. Of course, sometimes things go well, things go wrong, but always the positiveness.”