Midfielder has found it difficult to reach full fitness since his return in May
Spain midfielder Rodri has been ruled out of this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria after suffering another injury setback.
The Spanish football federation confirmed in a statement on Monday that Rodri would not take part in either qualifier, following medical reports sent by Manchester City to the national team’s staff.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was substituted after he went down in the first half of City’s 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday. A serious knee injury kept him out for most of last season and he finally returned to the pitch in May, but he has found it difficult to reach full fitness.
City manager Pep Guardiola warned last week that Rodri’s recovery would take time, and the midfielder might not be back to his best until next season.
“My feeling right now is he is not ready because he needs time,” said Guardiola. “This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start. We’ll be patient and he dictates. If he feels not good, it’s better to rest.”
City’s manager added: “Rodri will be good at the World Cup with Spain. In the World Cup it will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri. This season will be how we handle it, step by step.
“It’s normal, it was one year on the massage table. The body changes, the rhythm changes. It’s a question of time. If he’s healthy and works with what he has to do, he will be back.”
