Pep Guardiola has suggested Rodri has suffered an injury setback following Manchester City’s elimination from the Club World Cup.
City fell to a 4-3 defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal in the early hours of Tuesday morning, crashing out of the competition at the last 16 stage.
With the game level after 90 minutes, Marcos Leonardo scored the winner in the 12th minute of extra-time to cause the biggest shock of the competition.
Rodri has been part of the squad out in the United States having recovered from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that derailed his 2024-25 campaign, coming off the bench in City’s opening group matches.
The Spain international turned in a sublime performance against Juventus last week – his first start since September – in what was City’s best display of the summer.
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But the Premier League giants were outclassed by Al-Hilal with concern over Rodri casting a shadow.
The 29-year-old came off the bench after 53 minutes but was replaced on the 100-minute mark.
While he did not elaborate, Guardiola suggested in his post-match press conference the change was enforced.
‘[Rodri [is] complaining about his injury situation.’ Guardiola said.
City led 1-0 at the break but spurned a host of chances to extend their lead with Al-Hilal scoring twice in the opening seven minutes of the first-half.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol all had chances to get on the score sheet with Guardiola left to rue those mossed opportunities despite his side scoring three times.
‘In the end we have to score and be clinical. They did not create much in the first half, we did but could not finish it,’ he said.
‘I had a feeling we could go through. We allow them to make transitions [but] we created a lot. It is a pity, we have been on an incredible journey together [here] and in a good place.
‘The vibe was really good, I cannot thank Manchester City enough and especially the players for training and how they have been playing.’
Guardiola has previously complained of City’s bloated squad, insisting he news a smaller group to work with ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
‘We have a big squad and we’ll see what happens,’ he said. ‘Now it is tough but we come back in the next days, rest, and start the Premier League.’