Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri's season is over after sustaining an injury during last weekend's match against Arsenal. The Manchester City manager revealed that the midfielder, wearing No.16, underwent surgery on Friday morning and will not play again this season.
In his Friday press conference, Guardiola explained: "He had surgery this morning—an ACL injury along with some meniscus damage. He’ll be back next season. This season is over for him.
"We received the worst possible news, but it’s part of football. Sometimes these things happen, and we’ll be here to support him through his recovery. Step by step, we'll move forward."
When asked about his previous statement that Rodri was "irreplaceable," Guardiola responded: "We don’t have a player who can offer exactly what Rodri gives us, but together as a team, we can compensate for his absence. Since his arrival, Rodri has been vital, but we must find a way to adapt and play without him for several months.
"Everyone knows how important he is. We’ll miss him, but we look forward to seeing him back stronger next season."
Guardiola also acknowledged that the team will be without other key players, adding, "We are stronger with Rodri, with Nathan Ake, and Oscar Bobb. Injuries are unfortunate, but they’re part of the game."
Rodri’s recovery is expected to take longer than eight or nine months, but Guardiola expressed confidence in the club’s ability to manage without him: "We have excellent players, and we’ll find a solution."
In addition, Guardiola confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will miss the upcoming match against Newcastle, saying: "No, he’s not ready to play. Maybe he’ll be available before the international break."