Rodri knee injury may leave Manchester City without talismanic midfielder for rest of season

Ballon d’Or contender must have further examinations before club can assess seriousness of injury

Manchester City fear that midfielder Rodri will be ruled out for the long term after he suffered a suspected serious knee injury in Sunday’s draw with Arsenal.
Rodri left the pitch around 20 minutes into the 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium, after making a near-post run at an attacking corner. He appeared to twist his right knee and was clearly in pain before walking off the pitch with help from City’s medical staff.
There is no official confirmation yet of the scale of Rodri’s injury, with further examinations expected to take place soon, although early reports in Spain have suggested the 28-year-old could miss the remainder of this season.
Rodri was filmed visiting the renowned doctor Ramon Cugat in Barcelona on Monday.
🔵 Rodri llega a Barcelona para verse con el Doctor Cugat, como hacen habitualmente los jugadores lesionados del City pic.twitter.com/xXiWg5MmSM
The expected loss of Rodri, regarded by some as one of the best players in the world, comes just a week after the Spaniard suggested that players are close to going on strike in protest at the increasing number of games.
“I think we are close to that,” said Rodri when asked whether players will strike. “If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let’s see.”
Rodri made at least 50 appearances in all competitions for City in each of the past two seasons and said in April that he was in need of a rest.
He went on to play a starring role for Spain in this summer’s European Championship, in which he was named player of the tournament, although he was removed from the final against England with an injury.
Since joining City in the summer of 2019, Rodri has played more games in all competitions than any other Premier League player in that time.
Guardiola said immediately after Sunday’s match that he did not know the extent of Rodri’s injury as he declared the Spaniard the best holding midfield player in the game.
“Rodri is strong,” said Guardiola. “He leaves the pitch in this action because he felt something, otherwise Rodri stays there. “He’s the best holding midfielder in the world, he is a potential Ballon d’Or winner, I would love for him to win.”
Rodri was given a gradual start to this campaign, with Sunday’s match against Arsenal representing his first start for his club in the Premier League this season.