Rodri: It May Take Months Before I Return To My Best Performance

Rodri has been able to perform for Manchester City, but has not yet been to the best performance (Instagram/@mancity).

JAKARTA - Manchester City midfielder Rodri said it might take months before he finds his best form after nine months of absence from a knee injury.

The Spain National Team player has made three appearances as a substitute, including twice at the 2025 Club World Cup, as he continued his return after a knee ligament operation in September 2024.

Pep Guardiola hinted that the 29-year-old could start his Group G match against Juventus on Friday, June 27, 2025, early morning WIB.

However, ahead of the game, Rodri insists it may take a long time before he reaches the level that made him win the Ballon d'Or.

"To be honest, I feel very, very strong. The process is long, but I do it slowly. The most important thing is to stay focused and be strong."

"Don't be sad or anything. One day I will come back and today finally arrives. I am very excited to play again."

"I know it still takes months until I reach my level, but I am very happy," said Rodri.

Rodri's absence coincided with Manchester City's worst season in a decade when they handed over the Premier League title to Liverpool and struggled in the Champions League before being knocked out by Real Madrid in the playoffs.

Guardiola tried Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, and Bernardo Silva to fill Rodri's role as number 6 before Manchester City decided to sign Nico Gonzalez in January 2025.

No one managed to fill the void left by Rodri. However, he insisted it was too easy to blame Manchester City's bad season of injury.

"Well, it's a very simple analysis. Obviously, as I've always said, that in the past we also suffered a big defeat and the team was able to overcome it."

"Every time there are players who are absent, the team can handle it. But, in the end, this is a season where there are more conditions that give that feeling, not only results, but also the team's feelings."

"My mission is to try to get back to the individual level and so the team can take the best of me, especially the leadership and captain I can show now. Now, after I became one of the three captains."

"Most importantly, I want to increase the morale of my team, which has been the winner. I'm sure we will do it again," he said.