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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 extended periods away from football on the Ballon d’Or winner.
Guardiola Addresses Mental Health Challenges Facing Injured Rodri During Recovery
Rodri has been absent from Manchester City’s squad since suffering a hamstring pull during the club’s 1-0 Premier League victory away at Brentford in early October. The injury represents the latest setback in what Guardiola described as the most challenging period of the 29-year-old midfielder’s career, with the Spaniard having endured multiple fitness issues over the past 18 months.
The former Atletico Madrid player suffered an ACL rupture against Arsenal in September 2024 which sidelined him until May 2025, when he made his return as a substitute in Manchester City’s 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth. That match marked Kevin De Bruyne’s final home appearance before his transfer to Napoli, with Rodri’s comeback providing a positive moment during the Belgian’s farewell.
Guardiola offered a passionate response when questioned about Rodri’s mental wellbeing during his recovery period. “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,” the Manchester City manager stated during a recent press conference.
The City boss confirmed that Rodri has been training with the first team at full capacity for over a month, but stressed the importance of taking extra caution to avoid rushing the midfielder back prematurely. Guardiola acknowledged that Rodri experiences moments of sadness during his recovery, stating he would be concerned if the player was not affected by his prolonged absence from competitive action.
Guardiola emphasised the long-term perspective surrounding Rodri’s return, highlighting upcoming challenges including the World Cup and future seasons. Manchester City closed the gap to league leaders Arsenal over the weekend following a 3-0 victory over Sunderland, with the club preparing to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday evening.
