Rodri to return before the end of the season?: ‘Excited’ Guardiola gives a positive update on the Ballon d’Or winner | OneFootball

An ‘excited’ Pep Guardiola issued a positive update on the recovery of Rodri and thinks that the Ballon d’Or winner could return before the end of the Premier League season.

Rodri limped off the pitch when Man City faced Arsenal back in September and he has been out injured ever since. It was revealed that the Spanish midfielder had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament. It was believed that his season was over, with ACL injuries usually confining players to at least eight months out.

Despite this, on Friday City released footage of Rodri training with a ball at his feet, sparking excitement amongst fans. Guardiola admitted, “The fans must know that they are not the only ones who are excited. They have to know it.”

Since he last appeared on a football pitch, Rodri was honoured with the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in October. Becoming the first winner of football’s biggest individual award to come from the Premier League since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. He also became the first Spaniard to claim the prize since 1960.

Meanwhile, City have endured one of their toughest seasons in recent memory, with the absence of their star midfielder pivotal to their struggles on the pitch. His return will be a huge boost to the Blues.

Speaking on Rodri’s recovery progress, Guardiola explained: “It will have been six months after the international break.

“But just take one step at a time. We don’t have to make a stupid decision to come back weeks early and have setbacks. But yeah he looks good.”

Managing expectation, the Catalan conceded. “Still he is not close to coming back I would say. But he is touching the ball today and was in the locker room making touches with the players.

“He feels confident, he feels more happier.”

Although a fifth consecutive Premier League title will not be happen this season, there is still a lot for the Citizens to play for in their remaining league matches. Qualification for next season’s Champions League is still up for grabs, with many teams still chasing one of the coveted top four places.

It was previously expected that Rodri could make his return in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. However this date is now likely to be moved forward, with Guardiola remaining tight lipped over the Spaniard’s participation this season:

“I could not expect it before but I think maybe before the end of the season, not even in the World Cup, in the Premier League, maybe he is going to help us.”