Rodri missed almost all of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and the Manchester City star has been warned he may never return to the form that won him the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri aims to return to previous level after serious injury (Image: )
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has insisted Rodri will “never be the player he was before the ACL injury” as the Manchester City star tries to get back to his best form.
The Spaniard was one of the greats of Josep Guardiola’s side, scoring the winning goal as they won the Champions League in 2023. A year later, he spearheaded Spain’s Euro 2024 victory and won the Ballon d’Or.
However, a few months later Rodri suffered a season-ending blow when he injured his anterior cruciate ligament against Arsenal, effectively ending his season. He made his return late in the campaign and is now trying to get back into shape.
But City have been inconsistent and Cascarino fears Rodri’s best days are behind him. “Bad things happen in football and Rodri is in decline,” he wrote in the Times.
The Manchester side were embarrassed on Tuesday night when Rodri was sent off in Bodo/Glimt’s 3-1 win in the Champions League. “City’s loss to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday exposed his shortcomings,” said Cascarino, who claimed he felt the midfielder was making more mistakes but was hoping to be proven wrong.
read more: Josep Guardiola makes worrying entrance to Man City amid rumors of his leaving the clubread more: Man City captain makes big gesture to fans after Champions League humiliation
Rodri previously went unbeaten in 74 games for City between 2023 and 2024, but has had to endure a few defeats in recent years as his ambitions to challenge for the title were thwarted by Arsenal due to the team’s instability. Guardiola was in the midst of a rebuild, and Rodri was expected to be a central figure.
The Catalan is trying to ease the midfielder’s return. After the weekend’s derby defeat, he said: “Rodri will play better, and if the team plays better, everyone will play better. Of course he came after 18 months out, so it’s normal that he needs time.”
Manager Josep Guardiola needs Rodri back to his best for Man City to return (Image: Getty Images)
Rodri boasts an impressive career and admits being able to play again after extensive rehabilitation is his biggest victory.
“It’s a gift to me,” he said recently. “What I’ve been through has been terrible for me, so whether I win, draw or lose, everything is a gift to me now. If I can play, enjoy the joy of the game, and smile again, the rest will come, and the team will win and be successful.”
“Right now it’s important to stay healthy and enjoy playing football. I went through a process where I had to adjust my body in terms of muscles. I feel strong. I need the rhythm of the game, but I feel good so far in the season and where I come from.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
