Rodri surgery set for next week as Maresca begins Man City job
Enzo Maresca said Rodri will undergo back surgery after captaining Spain to the 2026 World Cup title and winning the Golden Ball.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Rodri surgery is scheduled for next week, giving Manchester City a fresh fitness concern before Enzo Maresca’s first season in charge. Maresca confirmed the midfielder’s planned back operation on Friday at his unveiling as City manager, according to The Associated Press.
The coach did not give a timetable for Rodri’s return. The update comes days after the Spain captain lifted the 2026 World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player with the Golden Ball.
Rodri’s latest setback follows a difficult stretch with injuries. AP reported that he sustained ACL damage in 2024 and had an interrupted season before leading Spain to their second World Cup title.
How long will Rodri be out after surgery?
Maresca did not say how long Rodri’s recovery from back surgery would take. He said the midfielder needs time away after the operation, including rest and recovery, before returning to Manchester City.
The uncertainty matters for City because Rodri remains one of the club’s central players. Maresca said speculation around a player of Rodri’s stature is normal, especially after Spain’s World Cup win, and said he wanted the former Ballon d’Or winner to stay at the club.
Maresca also said managers across the sport would want a player of Rodri’s level in their squad, according to AP. He linked the attention on Rodri to Spain’s success and the midfielder’s individual performance at the tournament.
Maresca takes over after Guardiola era
Friday’s remarks came as Maresca formally began the job of replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. AP described Guardiola as a legendary, multiple title-winning manager who oversaw an unprecedented period of success at the club.
Guardiola won 17 major trophies with City, including six Premier League titles and the club’s first Champions League crown in 2023. Across his coaching career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, he has won 35 major titles, AP reported.
Maresca said taking the City job was a privilege and described Guardiola as probably the best coach in the world over the past 20 to 25 years. He also framed the appointment as a challenge because of the standards set by his predecessor.
The new City coach has previous ties to the club. AP reported that this is his third stint there: he was an academy coach in the 2020-21 season and later worked as Guardiola’s assistant in 2022-23, when City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.
Maresca returned after spells at Leicester and Chelsea. He said City may have chosen him because the club sees similarities with the previous approach, including a preference for controlling matches, playing aggressively with the ball and imposing its game plan.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.