Spain captain Rodri is set to undergo surgery for a back injury, casting uncertainty over his club future as he enters the final year of his Manchester City contract. The procedure follows his Golden Ball-winning performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he led Spain to a second title with a 1–0 extra-time victory over Argentina in the final.
The 30-year-old midfielder has endured a difficult run with injuries, including a ruptured ACL that sidelined him for almost the entire 2024–25 season and subsequent hamstring and groin problems that limited him to 33 appearances last season. Rodri has publicly expressed a desire to return to Spain, with Real Madrid linked as a potential destination, though the club has reportedly been cautioned about pursuing him given his injury history.
Manchester City moved to bolster their squad by signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for 116 million pounds, signalling preparation for a potential transition in midfield.