Rodri’s Injury Blow Forces Him Out of Spain Squad
Spain’s Rodri Withdraws from World Cup Qualifiers Due to Hamstring Injury
Rodri’s Injury Forces Early Exit from Manchester City Match
Spain’s national football team will be without Rodri for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria, as confirmed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Monday. The midfielder’s recent injury woes re-emerged on Sunday during Manchester City’s Premier League victory over Brentford, where he was substituted just 21 minutes into the game.
Hamstring Concerns During Manchester City’s Premier League Clash
During the match against Brentford, the 29-year-old Rodri was seen sitting in the center circle clutching his hamstring, which prompted his substitution. Nico González replaced him as Rodri limped off the pitch. Despite concerns, Rodri sought to minimize the severity of his injury in a post-match interview with Sky Sports, stating, “I felt a little bit in the hamstring — but it seems as though it’s not that much.” He likened the sensation to a previous injury from the Euros final but remained optimistic about its seriousness.
Official Confirmation from the Spanish Football Federation
In a statement released on Monday, the RFEF confirmed Rodri’s withdrawal from the national squad after medical tests corroborated his injury. The midfielder had been working on regaining his fitness and form following a major knee injury that required surgery last year. The anterior cruciate ligament injury, sustained in a Premier League match against Arsenal, also involved complications with his meniscus. Despite an initial return at the end of last season, Rodri has been striving to match the performance levels that awarded him the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Spain’s Road to World Cup Qualification
Spain currently leads their World Cup qualifying group with a perfect record. Securing six points against Georgia and Bulgaria would guarantee their spot in the World Cup, contingent upon Turkey’s performance. If Turkey fails to secure a victory in Bulgaria and Georgia draws with Turkey, Spain will advance.
Key Players and Future Prospects
- Rodri’s recovery is critical for both Manchester City and Spain, with Pep Guardiola emphasizing patience for his return to peak form.
- Concerns over young talents like Lamine Yamal also persist, especially in the wake of workload and potential burnout with Barcelona and Spain.
Emegypt will continue to monitor Rodri’s health updates and Spain’s progress in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
