Rodri gives Man City fans encouraging update over ACL injury return | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has revealed he is targeting a return from what was thought to be a season-ending injury before the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Rodri spoke out against the congested football calendar just a week before suffering a dreaded anterior cruciate ligament tear during a Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal in September.

ACL injuries can sideline players from anywhere between six months and a year or more depending on the severity. Barcelona midfielder Gavi missed 11 months prior to his recent return, while Real Madrid defender David Alaba’s recovery will exceed a year. Eder Militao returned in only nine months but has since suffered a devastating second ACL tear – in his other knee.

Speaking to COPE on a trip back home to Spain, Rodri appeared confident he would be returning at some point before the end of the campaign. Part of that seems to be challenging himself to do.

"Yes, yes," the Ballon d'Or winner replied when the subject came up. "Also, the seasons are longer now, the [Club] World Cup ends on 13 July. I want to have a challenge at a mental level."

City's Champions League in 2023, with Rodri himself scoring the winning goal in the final against Inter, secured their qualification for the new quadrennial 32-team Club World Cup this summer. It begins on 15 June and runs for a month, following the same format as the men's international World Cup, with eight groups of four sides, and then a straight knockout bracket.

Rodri limped off when Man City faced Arsenal in September / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Rodri's City contract is due to expire in 2027 and he was starting to be linked with Real Madrid prior to his ACL injury. An approach for the 28-year-old would make sense for Los Blancos, despite Rodri's past connections with Atletico, as a native of the city.

He wouldn't rule anything out when pressed during the interview, but also stressed how happy he is at Manchester City and how difficult it would be to leave.

"I don't know, I like to live in the present and I have a contract with my club, I'm very happy there," he said. "Closing or opening doors for you doesn't make sense. I'm still passionate about the Spanish league but the English league is special. It's a club where I feel very identified, very familiar and I feel very comfortable. I would have to think a lot about leaving there."