MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been pictured arriving in Spain for tests on a right knee injury sustained against Arsenal in the Premier League over the weekend.
“We are still waiting for the decision of the doctors, exactly what he has,” City manager Pep Guardiola said Tuesday ahead of the team’s English League Cup match against Watford.
Rodri limped off in the 20th minute of the 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday after hurting his right knee when jostling with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey in the box at a corner.
Some British media reported that the Spain international has suffered an ACL injury and is set for a long-term absence from the team. City hasn’t commented on the severity of the injury.
Sections of the Spanish media published footage on social media of Rodri arriving in Barcelona on Monday.
If Rodri is missing for a long period of time, it seriously damages City’s chances of winning the Premier League for a record-extending fifth straight season. City leads the league by a point after five games.
PHOTOS: Man City waiting for results of scans on Rodri's knee injury amid ACL fears
Rodri, who is among the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or for 2024, is arguably City’s most important player because of how he protects the defense and conducts the team’s passing game.
Just last week, he said top players could soon go on strike because of the number of games they are being asked to play as new competitions are introduced to an already-packed soccer calendar and matches are added to existing tournaments.
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