Rodri, who spoke out against the infernal schedules imposed on professional footballers this week, collapsed to the ground this Sunday during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal. Injured in the knee, he quickly left the field. This raises concerns about a serious injury for the key player of the Skyblues.
Fate can be cruel. This week, Rodri denounced the overloaded fixtures and their impact on players’ bodies, becoming the spokesperson for a corporation “close” to going on strike to express their discontent. This Sunday, during the Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, the Spanish midfielder had to leave the pitch due to injury.
He was injured in the 16th minute. As Savinho was about to take a curling corner, Rodri, marked by Thomas Partey, started a run before collapsing after a few steps due to a misstep. On the ground, the Euro 2024 winner, celebrating his first start of the season in the league, writhed in pain with both hands clasped behind his right knee. He displayed a distraught expression, even seeming to wipe away a few tears.
Rodri warmly applauded
Quickly, a cluster of players formed around him. The Manchester City medical staff was called to his side with heavy hand signals. Mateo Kovacic was hurriedly sent to warm up.
After three or four minutes on the ground, the former midfielder of Atlético de Madrid left the pitch limping heavily, assisted by the medical staff. The crowd at the Etihad Stadium applauded him warmly, but the pain still seemed very sharp.
The slow-motion replays of the injury and the pain experienced by the player raise fears of a serious injury. The ligaments could be affected. Rodri had already had to leave the field due to injury during the Euro 2024 final against England last July (2-1).