Rodri survives World Cup injury scare after Spain concern – ‘nobody has to apologise’

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is set to be a star player for Spain at this summer’s World Cup

Manchester City midfielder Rodri played 60 minutes overnight for Spain after surviving a training ground injury scare ahead of the World Cup. Before Spain’s final World Cup warm-up match against Peru in Mexico, which Spain won 3-1, the 29-year-old was on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Barcelona’s Gavi.

Gavi caught Rodri on the foot during the training session in Chattanooga, Tennessee, leaving the Ballon d’Or winner in pain. The City man was eventually helped to his feet by Gavi but that was not the end of the matter. Critics online accused the Barcelona man of being overzealous and reckless just days before the World Cup.

In his pre-Peru press conference, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente defended the 21-year-old. “This is football,” he explained. “It’s training. The players are very committed, and nobody has to apologise to anybody. Everything is fine.

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“We know Gavi, he has that energy, that drive. That’s one of his virtues. He has to control it and ration it. But I want this Gavi.”

Rodri’s recent injury history made the challenge more concerning for supporters. In September 2024, the midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during a clash with Arsenal.

He only returned for City properly during the 2025 Club World Cup. Since then, he has suffered a number of different injury setbacks and Rodri has admitted he was at one point concerned he would not return to the pitch.

“When I came back, I had some doubts about being able to play normally again,” he told DAZN (as per AS). “I felt very limited, in a lot of pain. When you stop completely, your body brings out what it hasn’t been able to do during that time.

“There was a moment of doubt where I wondered not just if I would return to my previous level, but if I would ever play again. I’ve proven that I have. “I’ve returned to that consistency in my football. It’s a long road, that’s clear.”