Rodri suffered a serious knee injury against Arsenal in 9/2024, requiring surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, leading to a long spell on the sidelines.
During his recovery, the Spanish midfielder won the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual award. But for Rodri, the accolade couldn't overshadow the loss of playing time.
"The injury was a much bigger deal than the Ballon d'Or," Rodri said in a press conference before Spain's Euro 2026 World Cup qualifier against Turkey. "The award gave me a bit of positive energy during a tough time, but it meant nothing. I just wanted to be myself again, to enjoy football. That was my only goal."
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Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d'Or in Paris, France on 28/10/2024. Photo: EFE |
Rodri wins the 2024 Ballon d'Or in Paris, France on 28/10/2024. Photo: EFE
Since his return, Rodri has completed just one match for Man City this season – a comeback defeat against Brighton in the third round of the Premier League. The 29-year-old midfielder also recently returned to the national team, playing the final 30 minutes in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
"When you suffer such a serious injury, all you want is to put it behind you and return to your passion," Rodri expressed. "Now I no longer feel any pain or discomfort, the only challenge is to regain my form. I don't want to put pressure on myself, I just want to enjoy it and gradually return to my peak."
Rodri also praised Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal's $68 million signing and considered his "successor" in the national team. "I told Zubimendi that this is his time, to take the keys to the team," Rodri said. "He has the discipline and spirit to become one of the best. With Arsenal, it's also a big challenge, but I believe he will succeed."
Regarding the 2025 Ballon d'Or race, Rodri hopes his younger compatriots Pedri and Lamine Yamal will win. But he admitted Ousmane Dembele or Vitinha are more deserving, after winning five titles with PSG: Ligue 1, French Cup, French Super Cup, Champions League, and European Super Cup.
Coach Luis de la Fuente also confirmed Rodri's full recovery. He stated: "Rodri is in perfect condition. He may start, he may not, but the most important thing is that he's back and brings a lot of joy to the team."
Hong Duy (via ESPN, Marca)
