Rodri is on course to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup after the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner participated in his first full Manchester City training session since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The 28-year-old has been stepping up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and Wednesday's group training session marked a significant milestone in Rodri's journey back to full fitness.
Manchester City have four Premier League fixtures remaining and an FA Cup final encounter with Crystal Palace between now and the end of May.
While the club are understandably keen to pursue a cautious approach with Rodri, there was a sense Pep Guardiola was keen to get his midfield lynchpin back on the pitch, especially with the Citizens' date at Wembley in the FA Cup final in mind.
“Every training session he does with us, he does well,” Guardiola told the official Man City website.
“But I don’t know. Rodri wants [to play] but the doctor will have to say ‘Pep you have green light to give him minutes.’
“I want to rely on the doctors in that case.”
Rodri's campaign was curtailed in September 2024 after rupturing his knee ligament in Man City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
His absence has had a profound effect on City, whose hopes of achieving an unprecedented fifth successive Premier League title evaporated following a dismal run of form from November onwards.
Guardiola's outfit may be able to take solace in achieving UEFA Champions League qualification, while their meeting with Palace in the FA Cup presents the Citizens with an opportunity to avoid going trophyless for the first time since 2016/17.
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup in June presents Rodri with an opportunity to build his match fitness ahead of the commencement of the new Premier League season in August and the Ballon d'Or victor will be vital if Man City are to launch a genuine assault on reclaiming their Premier League crown.
After Liverpool were crowned champions, Guardiola said: "I want to congratulate Liverpool. It is well deserved, a fantastic team, and hopefully next season we can be better."
Related Articles
Football News
Pep Guardiola speaks on substandard Manchester City season
Read what Pep Guardiola had to say following Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final triumph against Nottingham Forest.
Ellis Statham
28 Apr 25
Football News
Every Rangers signing in the 2025/26 summer transfer window
We take a look at every signing that Rangers have made in the 2025/26 summer transfer window.
Jaquob Crooke
6 hours ago
