Pep Guardiola has given a hopeful update regarding Rodri’s recovery, revealing that the Manchester City player might return to action before the current Premier League season ends. The 28-year-old has been sidelined for nearly six months due to a serious ACL injury he suffered during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal back in September. This injury led to unexpected struggles for Guardiola’s team, who now find themselves trailing Liverpool by 20 points and out of both the Champions League and EFL Cup.
After making significant progress in his rehabilitation, there is growing optimism that Rodri could make his comeback in May. Initially, it was expected that he would miss the remainder of the season. Speaking to Manchester City’s media, Guardiola emphasized that the club would not rush Rodri’s return, but also left the door open for the player to rejoin the team before the season concludes.
“The fans should know they’re not the only ones excited. He’s been out for five or six months since the international break, but we’ll take it step by step. We can’t make rash decisions,” Guardiola said. “It’s good to see him back, but he’s not yet close to returning. He’s touching the ball again and is back in the locker room. He’s feeling more confident and happier, and I didn’t expect that he’d be back before the end of the season. Maybe he’ll help us.”
When asked if Rodri might be ready for the FA Cup final if Manchester City makes it, Guardiola responded cautiously: “We’re in the quarterfinals, so we’ll see. We need to earn the right to reach the final.”
The FA Cup final is scheduled for May 17, and Guardiola’s comments leave open the possibility that Rodri could return in time for that match, depending on whether City make it. The team’s penultimate Premier League match is against Bournemouth on May 18, but if they reach the FA Cup final, that game might be rescheduled. Alternatively, Rodri might return for the final league game of the season on May 25 against Fulham, though that would depend on whether City still have something to play for at that point.
If Rodri is not available for the final stages of the season, there is a chance he could return for the 2025 Club World Cup in June, where Manchester City will face teams like Wydad AC, Al Ain, and Juventus.
Rodri’s ACL injury occurred during his third appearance of the season, after missing the start of the campaign due to a hamstring injury from Euro 2024. Despite his absence, Manchester City remains in the running for next season’s Champions League qualification and is a favorite to win the 2024-25 FA Cup. Recently, a video of Rodri participating in light training drills was released, showing the player’s progress as he aims for a return to action.
