Rodri won the World Cup with Spain this summer Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesJuly 28, 2026 7:41 am EDT Updated Manchester City have confirmed that Rodri has undergone successful surgery on a minor back complaint.Rodri, 30, had scheduled the procedure for after his participation in this summer’s World Cup, which he won with Spain.City have not given a timeline for his recovery but sources say he is expected back with the team a few days before the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16th, along with other City players that took part in the World Cup quarter-finals or later.The Athletic reported on July 22 that Rodri was set to undergo surgery on the injury, with a timeline for his return at that stage unconfirmed.
It follows a summer in which he won the Golden Ball after captaining Spain to their first World Cup success since 2010, starting all eight matches at the tournament.The Athletic reported on Friday Real Madrid were working on a deal to sign Rodri, with the Spanish club confident an agreement can be reached. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has not yet committed to a new deal with City, and his current terms are due to expire next summer.Is Rodri back to his Ballon d'Or best?Reuben PinderRodri’s City career has been disrupted by injury since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in September 2024.That serious injury ruled Rodri out for almost the entirety of the 2024-25 season, while he started just 17 of City’s 38 Premier League matches last season as he experienced hamstring and groin issues.Rodri was a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side in 2022-23, making 56 appearances in that season as City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.City bolstered their midfield with the £116million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer. However, The Athletic reported on July 21 that Mateo Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez are considered potential departures, while Bernardo Silva left this summer following the expiration of his contract.
