Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has announced that Rodri, regarded as the ‘best midfielder in the world,’ will be sidelined for an extended period due to injury.

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In a significant blow to Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri will require surgery to address a knee injury sustained during the thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League over the weekend. The Spanish midfielder was forced to limp off the pitch at half-time following a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, leaving City fans anxious about the extent of the damage.

As City celebrated a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Guardiola revealed that the club is still awaiting definitive news regarding Rodri’s condition. “Still, we don’t have the definitive,” he stated. “He’ll be out for a long time, a while, but there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expect.”

The 28-year-old has returned to Spain to consult with a specialist, who is expected to provide a clearer timeline for his recovery. Guardiola acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the injury, saying, “Unfortunately he was injured. Right now, still, I cannot tell you how long because we’re waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors to know exactly what, definitely, he has and the type of surgery that he has to get.”

Rodri’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Citizens, as he has been a pivotal figure in their recent success. Since joining the club in 2019, he has played a crucial role in securing four consecutive Premier League titles, alongside a Champions League trophy, two League Cups, an FA Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup crown. Notably, City have not lost any of the last 48 Premier League matches in which he has featured.

Despite the setback, Guardiola remains optimistic about his squad’s ability to adapt. “We don’t want this, but we will still have a good season,” he insisted. “I trust a lot in my players; I have a duty to find a solution. Rodri is irreplaceable, and the team won’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time. Of course, it’s a big, big blow for us. But it’s football, it’s happened, and my duty is to find a solution, to be competitive like we have been for many years.”

As it stands, City are perched at the top of the Premier League table, just one point ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa. They will be back in action this weekend, facing Newcastle United in a match that will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Following that, they will travel to Slovakia to take on Slovan Bratislava in their second UEFA Champions League fixture of the season, having kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw against Inter Milan last week.