Rodri injury news: Spain's Golden Ball winner a doubt for Manchester City after surgery

Rodri's incredible performance for Spain at the 2026 World Cup came despite a back injury that now requires surgery ahead of the Premier League season, according to The Athletic . MORE — Spain keep cool as Argentina tarnish legacy The midfielder turned 30 early in the World Cup, where he captained La Roja en route to their second world title and was named the winner of the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, started all eight of Spain's matches at the World Cup, going 90 minutes in all but the opening draw against Cape Verde. He played a mere 87 minutes in that 0-0 draw. Rodri injury news: Will reported back surgery cost him start of Man City season? Rodri came back from major knee surgery last season and it took some time for him to hit his stride with Manchester City. The 2025-26 season saw him play in 33 games totaling 2,185 minutes and scoring two goals for City, then running his Spanish cap total to 70 caps total by the end of the World Cup. He missed more than two months with a hamstring injury and had two other small absences due to discomfort in his knee before a late-season groin injury cost him most five Premier League matches. FIFA mandates a 21-day gap between the end of a player's international campaign and his return to club football. That same period is keeping Lionel Messi away from Inter Miami until mid-August. The surgery and its recovery likely add to Rodri's return date, which would've ruled out Rodri through an August 9 friendly against old pals Atletico Madrid. City's next fixture is the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16 before City begin the Premier League season at home to Bournemouth, away to Palace, and home to Coventry City. That's a soft landing and we don't expect Enzo Maresca to rush Rodri back into the fold. City's fourth PL game is a Sept. 13 meeting at Manchester United.