Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City will be without Rodri for the entire season after suffering ligament damage last weekend.
In a major blow to City’s hopes in the title race, the central midfielder had surgery in Madrid on Friday morning.
Guardiola suggested that Rodri suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate and meniscus and warned City must be careful with his recovery to thwart further issues down the line.
City had taken two opinions from experts in the UK and Spain, hoping that initial fears around an ACL were unfounded.
‘His season is over,’ Guardiola said. ‘Unfortunately he got the worst [outcome]. But it is what it is. Unfortunately at this level, it happens. We are there to support him, and he will recover step by step and move forward.
Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery in Madrid on Friday
‘When you have an ACL injury, it’s nine months and then you have muscle injuries the season after. We have magnificent players and will find the solution.
‘A lot of months without an important player for us, everybody knows it.’
The Spaniard sustained the serious ligament damage during the first half of City’s dramatic 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal last Sunday.
Following deliberation with the club, Rodri chose to take to the operating table, with reknowned sports surgeon Dr Manuel Leyes performing the surgery, according to Spanish media outlet Relevo.
The Spaniard is a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon within the Spanish football community and City have decided to standby Rodri’s decision to be treated by him.
Real Madrid stars Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Arda Guler all underwent successful knee surgeries executed by the Spanish doctor.
More to follow.