Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Rodri returned from injury earlier than he should have, but the Manchester City midfielder is gradually regaining his best form.
The Spaniard, who suffered knee ligament damage in September 2024, the same year he won the Ballon d’Or, made his comeback in May.
However, he has struggled to exert the same influence on the pitch and also missed part of this season due to a hamstring injury.
“He came back too early,” Guardiola told Irish News. “Our desire to get him back, him especially, he came back early, that’s why it was longer. It’s a good lesson.
“Human beings have a time for recovery. There are players who can recover earlier, like Bernardo (Silva) for example or Phil (Foden), and other ones need more time. Still it’s not his best but every time his mood and his training and his playing (is improving). He’s a special player.
The 29-year-old’s contract is set to expire next summer, and Guardiola expressed a strong desire to see him stay.
“I would love (that) desperately.
“Rodri is Rodri. As much age as he has, more wiser, more understanding of the game.
“There are players that are defined on the big stages, in the difficulties, and Rodri’s one of them, like Bernie, like Ruben (Dias), like many of them that I had in the past. You cannot achieve what we achieved if you don’t have huge personalities.”
