Manchester City midfielder Rodri has warned it could take several months to fully recover and gain top form after recently returning to action from a lengthy injury layoff.
Rodri was ruled out for up to nine months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury suffered after a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey last September.
The 29-year-old has made three appearances as a substitute since his return to action has revealed the hard work to get back to his best.
Read this: Man City set to offer Rodri long-term deal
“I feel very, very strong, to be honest,” said Rodri. “The process was long, but I was taking my time. The most important thing was to keep focused and be strong.
Don’t be sad or whatever. One day I’ll come back and this day has finally come and I’m very excited to play again. I know it’s still going to be months until I reach my level, but I’m so happy”, he continued.
The Spanish midfielder was an ever present for club and country and had won the Ballon d’Or in October after a successful season, before suffering the injury that made him absent for a long period.
Pep Guardiola struggled to replace the influential midfielder, coinciding with Manchester City’s worst season in a decade.
“Whenever there are players missing, the team can get over it. But in the end, it is a season in which there are many more conditions that gave that feeling, not so much the results, but the team’s feeling”, Rodri added.
Check this out: Stones opens up on career doubts amid injury struggles
“My mission is to try to return to the individual level and that the group can take the best from me, especially the leadership and the captaincy that I can show now, now that I am one of the three captains.
Above all, I want to raise the morale of my team, which has been a winner, and I am sure we will do it again”, the Spanish international concluded.
Rodri has made two substitute appearances at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup and will be pushing for a first start since his return, when they Cityzens face Juventus in their final group game on Thursday.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
One Response