Spain's Rodri, center, celebrates with the World Cup trophy and teammates on stage at Cibeles Square in Madrid after the victory parade as fans gather to celebrate winning the 2026 World Cup, July 22. Reuters-Yonhap
Korean football fans will not get to see a pair of recent FIFA World Cup stars when the Premier League giants Manchester City visit Seoul for their Asian tour next month.
Man City unveiled their initial 28-man traveling squad on their website Wednesday, and conspicuous by their absences were midfielder Rodri and forward Erling Haaland.
Rodri captained Spain to their second World Cup title earlier this month and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player — becoming the first winner of the honor without a goal or an assist. He recently left Real Madrid to join Man City but also underwent what the English club described this week as a "minor" back surgery.
Man City said Rodri "will now begin a short period of rehabilitation" without providing a specific timeline for his return.
