Rodri Aims for Manchester City Comeback Before Season's End

New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) Manchester City midfielder Rodri is striving to make a comeback on the pitch before the season wraps up after enduring a ruptured ACL in his right knee during the team's 2-2 stalemate against Arsenal in September. Initially, manager Pep Guardiola had ruled him out for the entire campaign.

Since Rodri's setback, City has gone through six matches without securing a win across all competitions, and the Spanish international is optimistic about reuniting with his teammates before the season draws to a close.

'My goal is to return this season. I’m not giving up on this year, but I also want to avoid making any rash decisions. I’m aiming for a recovery in six or seven months. I’m feeling much better than I anticipated. It’s been a unique experience enjoying the rest, if that’s the right way to put it,' Rodri shared on The Rest Is Football podcast.

'My initial feeling was that it wasn’t a crack—the knee felt stable. I was confident it wasn’t severe. Now, I have a positive mindset. The first month and a half was tough in terms of pain; I struggled to walk, but things have become easier since then,' he added.

The Premier League season is set to conclude on May 25, shortly after the FA Cup final on May 17. Following the domestic season, the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which includes Manchester City, will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

Rodri has experienced a rollercoaster few months, transitioning from the high of winning Euro 2024 with Spain to facing a serious injury, followed by the achievement of winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

'I have gone through the highs and lows of my career with the Ballon d'Or and then the injury, but this fuels my motivation to return stronger. I can’t articulate the emotion of winning it. In my generation, we only see a couple of individuals winning the trophy (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo),' he reflected.

Rodri's achievement was somewhat overshadowed by Real Madrid's boycott of the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, which many believe was a protest against Vinicius Jr's exclusion from the top accolades.

'I cannot condone their choice,' Rodri commented on Madrid’s absence. 'In sports and life, winning is vital. However, how you handle losing matters even more. It was my moment, and I didn’t want to discuss others. They chose not to attend—I wanted to be with my club, my family, and the supporters who celebrated me; it was an incredible moment.'

The midfielder also expressed his joy over Guardiola's recent two-year contract extension with City. 'I often stayed back after training to talk with the manager because I was eager for insights. As time goes on, you rely on that less, but the first year was a significant transition for me.'

'Pep has an insatiable desire to improve daily. He has achieved so much, yet he continues to strive for more, which excites me about his decision to stay. He pulls you aside and discusses tactics; he’s always present during sessions. He pushes you, and without that daily challenge, growth is stunted. He is an extraordinary worker, undoubtedly the best. His titles speak volumes, and he has made a mark in Spain, Germany, and England.'