Manchester City’s influential midfielder Rodri Hernández has been forced to withdraw from the Spain national team after sustaining a hamstring injury during a recent Premier League clash against Brentford. The Spanish Football Federation confirmed the decision, stating that medical teams from both the national side and Manchester City agreed he needed time to recover fully.
Rodri suffered the injury midway through the first half of City’s game, visibly clutching the back of his leg before being substituted and replaced by fellow Spaniard Nico González. Initial medical reports indicate that while the injury is not severe, it requires adequate rest to prevent aggravation. Spain’s technical bench subsequently made the call to exclude him from their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria, scheduled for October 11 and October 14 respectively.
Speaking after the match, Rodri expressed optimism that his condition would improve soon, describing the discomfort as mild but acknowledging the importance of recovery over rushing back to play. “It’s not too serious, but it’s better to be cautious,” he said. His absence, however, leaves a significant gap in both Spain’s midfield and Manchester City’s tactical setup, given his consistency and influence on the pitch.
This setback comes at a crucial point in the season, with City battling for dominance in the Premier League and Spain aiming to strengthen their qualification campaign. Manager Pep Guardiola had earlier hinted that Rodri’s workload was becoming a concern, noting that the midfielder might not be ready to sustain a demanding schedule of three matches per week.
Rodri’s recovery will be closely monitored by both club and country, as his leadership and composure in midfield have made him indispensable. For Spain, his absence could test their midfield depth, while for Manchester City, ensuring his full recovery remains a top priority.
IMAGE COURTESY OF METRO
