Guardiola confirms season over for star player after surgery

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City star Rodri’s season is over, with the player suffering an ACL injury and possible meniscus damage.

Less than a week on from his injury at home to Arsenal, Manchester City midfielder Rodri has received the news he feared, as he’s set to miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Pep Guardiola confirmed the news in his pre-Newcastle United match press conference on Friday, saying: “He had surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus, we think.

“Next season he will be with us. This season is over. Unfortunately we got the worst news but that is what happened, we will be there to support him and move forward step by step.”

Rodri went down midway through the first half against Arsenal on Sunday, after what looked like a fairly innocuous coming together.

The player was running alongside Thomas Partey ahead of a corner, and while jostling for position the City midfielder jarred his leg in the turf.

It wasn’t the first time Rodri had gone down, having feigned an injury in the first five seconds following a clash with Kai Havertz. But this time the problem was genuine, with the player writhing in pain.

Rodri has proven a key player for Manchester City in recent seasons, and they’ve often suffered without him.

Pep Guardiola’s side have got a couple of their big fixtures out of the way already, winning at Stamford Bridge and drawing at home to Arsenal.

But they’ll have to get through the rest without one of their key men, starting with an away trip to St. James’ Park on Saturday.