Rodri to have back surgery; Maresca dismisses transfer talk

World Cup winner Rodri will undergo surgery on a back issue on Monday, new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed. The 30-year-old Spain captain recently guided his country to World Cup glory and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

However, the midfielder's last two club seasons were heavily disrupted by injury – an anterior cruciate ligament injury sidelined him for most of the 2024-25 campaign, and several setbacks last season meant he was often unavailable. Rodri returned to his best form at the World Cup, but speaking at his first press conference since being appointed City boss, Maresca said the player now requires surgery followed by recovery.

"Now, [he undergoes] surgery on Monday. Then he needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us," the Italian coach said. Maresca did not elaborate on when Rodri might return, but he dismissed speculation about the Spaniard's future at the Etihad following recent reports linking him with Real Madrid. "Around big players there are always speculations so I am not worried about that," he said. "I think it is normal, also because they [Spain] won the World Cup and because he is one of the best players. I think every manager wants to have Rodri because he is a top player."

Regarding other players yet to return, Maresca said he expects to have them in the squad three or four days before City face Premier League champions Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday, 16 August.