Rodri is expected to be out for a significant period of time after suffering a serious knee injury in the Premier League tie against Arsenal and there are fears he will not return this season.

The Manchester City midfielder grabbed his right knee and had to be substituted after 21 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, tripping and falling after running towards the front post from a corner as Thomas Partey was directing it.

He was immediately in pain and some of his teammates gestured to him that he needed medical attention.

Rodri left the field accompanied by two members of City’s medical staff and was replaced by Mateo Kovacic.

Tests have confirmed the severity of the injury and, although further assessments will take place in Spain, there is no official timetable for his recovery yet. However, sources close to the player have suggested he could be out for the remainder of the 2023/24 season.

Without him, City fell behind but fought back to earn a 2-2 draw that moved them back to the top of the Premier League.

GO DEEPER

Rodri’s injury could be Man City’s most significant moment in a game with a million things

Sunday’s game was Rodri’s first start of the season as Pep Guardiola slowly reintroduced him into action following his participation in the European Championships in the summer.

The 28-year-old was substituted at half-time during Spain’s final victory over England due to a thigh injury and only returned to training on Wednesday before the start of the Premier League season.

On Tuesday, Rodri said professional players were “on the verge” of going on strike due to the increasing number of matches in the football calendar.

The Spanish international played 4,327 minutes in 50 games for his club last season and faces an 11-month campaign in 2024/25 if City reach the final of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for July 13 next year.

Asked if there was a possibility of players going on strike because of the increasing number of games, Rodri said: “Yes, I think we are close to it. If it continues like this, we will have no other choice. That is what worries us.”

Rodri was injured in the first half against Arsenal (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

A recent FIFPro report on player welfare concluded that the 2024-25 season is likely to be the “worst” in terms of workload.

“Between 40 and 50 is the number of games a player can play at the highest level,” Rodri added. “After that, you start to drop off because it’s impossible to maintain the physical level. This year we might reach 70 or 80. In my humble opinion, that’s too much.”

“Someone has to take care of us because we are the protagonists of this, let’s say, sport or business, whatever you want to call it.

“It’s not just about money or marketing. It’s about the quality of the show. In my opinion, I’m better when I’m not tired. If people want to see better football, we need to rest.”

City’s next game is against Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, while their next Premier League game is away at Newcastle United on Saturday.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)