Manchester City’s Rodri admits to career-ending doubts during nightmare ACL lay-off

Rodri admits he questioned whether he would “ever play again” during his ACL recovery

The Spain international says he is now “back, stronger than before” ahead of the World Cup

Rodri sustained his ACL injury in Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September 2024

Rodri has opened up on the psychological toll of his ACL injury recovery, admitting there was a moment during rehabilitation where he doubted whether he would ever play professional football again.

The Manchester City midfielder sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in September 2024.

That paved the way for an 18-month road to recovery that included a premature comeback at the FIFA Club World Cup and subsequent hamstring and groin setbacks before he finally returned to consistent form in the second half of last season.

Rodri admits to ‘questioning himself’ over fitness and Manchester City future after knee injury

Now representing Spain at the FIFA World Cup in North America, Rodri has reflected on the doubts that crept in during the most difficult stages of his rehabilitation.