Ballon d’Or Winner Rodri Targeting an Early Return to Action Following ACL Injury

Manchester City midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is targeting a comeback from his ACL injury before the 2024/25 season ends. During a recent interview, Rodri hinted at playing for Manchester City at the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States from June to July.

This revelation comes just weeks after Rodri was named the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. The 28-year-old Spaniard defeated the likes of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham to become the first defensive midfielder since Lothar Matthaus to win the Ballon d’Or. Rodri’s crowning moment came after he led Manchester City to their fourth straight Premier League title before playing an instrumental role in Spain’s 2024 Euros triumph. Because of his exceptional performances throughout the tournament, Rodri was named as Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament.  

However, following his heroics in the 2024 Euros, Rodri’s return to club football didn’t go according to plan. The 28-year-old suffered a serious ACL injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in late-September. Ever since that fateful date, the Cityzens have struggled to pick up wins on a consistent basis. In fact, City have now lost four games on the bounce and have fallen five points behind league leaders Liverpool in the title race. Manchester City’s current struggles just goes on to highlight Rodri’s importance to both his club and national team. With him being ruled out for the season, Pep Guardiola must find new ways to challenge for trophies. However, Rodri has hinted that he’s targeting a return before the end of the 2024/25 season, giving City fans more belief about their chances at the Club World Cup. 

During an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Rodri said, “I have in mind to play this season. Now the seasons are getting longer and the (FIFA Club) World Cup ends on July 13, I have in mind to return this year, as a challenge. I’ve already started walking and I’m feeling better than I thought. Gavi used to say: ‘I need to play football’. At my age you see it differently, you have time to rest and recover well.” Manchester City qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup after they defeated Inter Milan during the 2023 Champions League final. Rodri scored the all-important goal, as the Cityzens clinched their first-ever Champions League trophy.  

Rodri’s recent comments hint that he’s not holding out much hope of returning to Manchester City’s lineup in any competitions this season. As City navigate the challenge of his absence, they’ll be exploring options both within the squad and in the upcoming winter transfer market. Among the names linked with a potential move to City are some standout midfield talents: Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Torino’s Samuele Ricci, Atalanta’s Ederson, and Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella.