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Rodri to undergo back surgery, Man City boss Maresca confirms

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Manchester City's World Cup winning midfielder Rodri will undergo back surgery on Monday, new manager Enzo Maresca confirmed.
This follows his recent World Cup triumph and previous injury-disrupted seasons, with Maresca also dismissing transfer speculation.

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Why It Matters

Rodri, a World Cup winner and Golden Ball recipient, has had previous injury-disrupted seasons at club level. New Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the need for surgery.

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World Cup winner Rodri will have surgery on a back issue on Monday, new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed.

The 30-year-old Spain captain guided his country to World Cup glory last week and was named the Golden Ball winner as player of the tournament.

But the midfielder's last two seasons at club level were heavily disrupted - an anterior cruciate ligament injury leaving him sidelined for the majority of the 2024-25 campaign before several setbacks last season meant he was often unavailable.

The Ballon d'Or winner was back to his best at the World Cup but, speaking at his first news conference since being appointed City boss, Maresca said Rodri now needs surgery followed by recuperation.

"Now, [he has] surgery on Monday. Then he needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us," the Italian coach said.

Maresca did not elaborate on when Rodri might return though he did dismiss speculation around the Spaniard's future at Etihad Stadium following reports in the past week linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

"Around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that," he said.

"I think it is normal, also because they [Spain] won the World Cup and because he is one of the best players. I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player."