Rodri to undergo back surgery but Maresca brushes off transfer speculation

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Rodri is set to have surgery on a back problem on Monday, according to new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca. The Spain captain, 30, has just helped his national team win the men’s World Cup and was named the tournament’s Golden Ball winner, but Maresca said he now needs an operation, then time away to rest and recover before rejoining City.

The development matters because Rodri remains central to City’s midfield plans after two injury-affected club seasons. BBC Sport notes that he missed much of the 2024-25 campaign because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury and was repeatedly unavailable last season after further setbacks. Maresca did not provide a timetable for his return. He also played down recent speculation linking Rodri with Real Madrid, saying interest around leading players is expected, particularly after Spain’s World Cup success.

Maresca was speaking in his first news conference since taking over from Pep Guardiola, who left after winning 20 trophies in 10 years at Manchester City. The Italian described replacing Guardiola as a major challenge and a privilege, while pointing to his familiarity with the club from his spell as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 Treble-winning season.

BBC Sport also reported that Maresca expects other returning players to be available three or four days before City face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August. He said City still have some transfer-window work to do, but declined to discuss individual futures including James Trafford and Jack Grealish.