Rodri to have back surgery amid Real Madrid transfer interest
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who captained Spain to the 2026 World Cup title and won the tournament’s Golden Ball, will undergo back surgery on Monday, new City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed. Maresca said, “Rodri will have surgery on a back problem on Monday. He needs a holiday, he needs to rest, recover, and then he will be back here with us.” The timing of his recovery is unclear; reports suggest he could miss the Community Shield and the opening Premier League fixtures.
Rodri’s contract runs until June 2027, leaving a year before it expires, and his future has become the focus of a transfer battle. Real Madrid are viewed as the front‑runners, having reached personal‑terms with the player, while Paris Saint‑Germain and Barcelona have also expressed interest. Manchester City have signalled a desire to keep him, exploring a contract extension and adding midfielder Elliot Anderson as a possible cover.
The surgery, described by some outlets as a minor outpatient procedure, could sideline the 30‑year‑old for several weeks or months, affecting City’s midfield plans at the start of the 2026/27 season.