Gutted Rodri forced off injured as Man City suffer hammer blow vs Brentford | Football | Sport
Manchester City‘s star midfielder Rodri was visibly upset as he trudged off the pitch during the first half of their match against Brentford due to injury. The Spanish international immediately headed for the tunnel after being taken off in the 22nd minute of the Premier League showdown.
The crucial City midfielder was replaced by Nico Gonzalez in what was only his 15th appearance for the Citizens since the end of the 2023/24 season, having missed most of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The disheartened 2024 Ballon d’Or winner initially stood in the centre of the pitch looking frustrated before sitting on the grass to wait for his team’s physios to come and treat him.
The 29-year-old started at the Gtech Community Stadium in his continued quest for peak form and full fitness having missed last weekend’s victory over Burnley due to knee discomfort. He returned to the side in midweek as City drew with Monaco in the Champions League.
Still struggling for sharpness since his ACL lay-off, Rodri was subbed off on the hour mark after struggling for rhythm. He started at Brentford but was clutching his hamstring just 20 minutes in and dropped to the turf before coming off.
Pep Guardiola was questioned about Rodri’s condition during his pre-match press conference before the journey to London and suggested it was improbable he would return to his peak before the 2026 World Cup, though he remained confident he would eventually reach that level.
“Rodri is an outstanding player, everyone knows it, maybe he struggled to understand it’s not about six months or 12, the World Cup will be the best Rodri and next season will be the best Rodri, this year is how to handle it,” the City boss said.
“One year he has been out. The body changes, the rhythm changes, it’s a question of time, if he’s healthy he will be back.”
Rodri has been included in the Spain squad for World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria next week but may now be forced to pull out. City were leading 1-0 against the Bees when Rodri was forced to leave the pitch due to Erling Haaland‘s early goal.
