Rodri to undergo back surgery, may miss City season start

Manchester City midfielder Rodri will undergo back surgery on Monday, July 27, 2026, casting serious doubt on his availability for the start of the Premier League season. The club's new head coach, Enzo Maresca, confirmed the procedure at his first official press conference on Friday, July 24, following the player's pivotal role in Spain's World Cup victory last week, where he was named the tournament's best player.

The surgery addresses a minor back issue that persisted throughout Spain's successful campaign in North America. Maresca stated that following the operation, Rodri will be granted an extended period of vacation and rehabilitation before returning to squad training. No specific timetable for his recovery has been provided.

As a result, the 30-year-old is ruled out of the FA Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16 and is considered a major doubt for City's Premier League opener against AFC Bournemouth on August 23. His potential absence presents an early challenge for Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola last month. The injury compounds a difficult two-year period for Rodri at club level, which included a major anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2024...