Image source: sports.yahoo.com
Pep Guardiola has addressed the mental health challenges facing Rodri as the Manchester City midfielder continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in October, with the manager emphasising the psychological impact of an 18-month period disrupted by multiple fitness setbacks.
Guardiola Highlights Mental Health Struggles as Rodri Continues Injury Recovery
Rodri has been absent from action since suffering a hamstring pull during Manchester City’s 1-0 Premier League victory away at Brentford in early October, marking the latest fitness issue for the 29-year-old midfielder in what has been the most challenging year of his career. The Ballon d’Or winner previously suffered an ACL rupture against Arsenal in September 2024 which kept him sidelined until May 2025, when he returned as a substitute in City’s 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Guardiola was questioned about Rodri’s mental health as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner works on returning to full fitness. “What will you do if you’re a football player or a journalist and during 18 months you cannot do your job? How would you feel? You want to write, you want inspiration in lectures, how good you are, and you cannot do it. How would you feel? You’d feel bad,” Guardiola said in a passionate tone.
The Spanish midfielder made progress at the FIFA Club World Cup in June but suffered another fitness setback in the United States that delayed his start to the 2025-26 campaign. After making his first start in nearly a year during a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at the end of August, Rodri returned to regular action in September, playing crucial roles in victories over Manchester United and Napoli before the Brentford injury.
Guardiola confirmed that Rodri has been training with the first team in full capacity for over a month, but the coaching staff are taking extra caution to avoid rushing their key player back prematurely. “Of course and everyone,” Guardiola added when asked whether Rodri needs to be mentally strong. “Yeah, of course, strong. He has to be strong and in some moments he’s sad. I would not be happy if he’s not sad.”
The City manager emphasised the long-term perspective for Rodri’s recovery, stating that the midfielder must be patient for future success. “But now he has to be clean, say, ‘Okay, last step. I’m on the verge to come back. Don’t make one step further to make one thousand steps backwards’,” Guardiola explained, adding that Rodri has a World Cup ahead and multiple seasons to contribute, making careful recovery essential for sustained performance.
