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Pep Guardiola has said Rodri is back in Manchester City training. He had been out since September with a serious knee injury. The Spanish midfielder’s return comes at an important time as City finish their season.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rodri is finally back in training after hurting his knee against Arsenal in September. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has slowly been joining in team sessions. Guardiola is being careful not to rush him. He said Rodri will only play with doctor approval. The 28-year-old was seen at Wednesday’s open training and was working with the ball again for the first time.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rodri’s absence greatly affected Manchester City’s season. Without him, City fell 20 points behind league leaders Liverpool and lost the title. They have improved now, winning six of their last seven games. This includes a 2-0 win in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. They will play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17, but it’s not clear if Rodri will play.
WHAT NEXT FOR RODRI?
There is still no clear timeline for Rodri’s return to games. The Club World Cup might be his first game back, as it is more realistic than the FA Cup final. City play their first game on June 18 against Wydad AC from Morocco. This gives Rodri more time to recover. Manchester City are now focused on their next Premier League game against Wolves on May 2. They also play Southampton on May 10 before the FA Cup final on May 17.
