Rodri Returns From ACL Injury After 7 Months

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Midfielder Rodri made his return for Manchester City on Tuesday, playing his first minutes since having surgery on his ACL in September. The Ballon d’Or winner was initially expected to miss the rest of the season, but came off the substitute’s bench in the 83rd minute of City’s Premier League game against Bournemouth.

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Midfielder Rodri made his return for Manchester City on Tuesday

The Spain international received a rapturous reception from the Etihad Stadium crowd as he replaced Erling Haaland. His return to fitness means he is likely to be available for the Club World Cup, which kicks off in the United States next month.

Rodri’s last game was against Arsenal, when he was injured in a 2-2 draw on September 22.

ACL injuries can take from six months to a year to heal.

Rodri also sustained meniscus damage, but has been back in training for weeks.

City’s season unraveled soon after Rodri was ruled out with the team effectively surrendering the league title before the turn of the year and ending the season without a trophy for first time since 2017 after losing Saturday’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace. They were in shambles when he got injured mid-season and did not have a clear outright replacement for him. City suffered losses due to a stable defensive midfielder in the middle of the park. 

Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic were not able to cover for him.

It was only after the January transfer window that Manchester City became better and added quality in the form of Marmoush, Nico Williams, Khusanov and Vitor Reis, that they looked competitive. 

But there is still the chance to lift silverware in the offseason when City take part in the newly-expanded Club World Cup. Rodri played only three games for City this season before his injury.

He was awarded the Ballon d’Or for the best male football player in the world in October collecting the trophy on crutches.

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