Rodri has offered Manchester City a timely fitness signal before Spain’s World Cup last-16 tie against Portugal.
The Times of India reported that the City midfielder has eased immediate concerns over his condition and indicated he feels ready for one of the tournament’s biggest knockout fixtures.
The update is significant for City because Rodri’s post-tournament fitness has already been under scrutiny. talkSPORT reported last week that Enzo Maresca could be without the midfielder at the start of the 2026/27 season if surgery is required after Spain’s World Cup campaign.
ESPN reported that Rodri has also backed Spain’s midfield before the Portugal tie, while admitting their opponents have “one of the best generations” in their history.
Rodri Hands Maresca A Different Test
Spain face Portugal in Arlington, Texas, in one of the strongest ties of the round. Reuters described the game as a high-stakes rematch after Portugal beat Spain on penalties in last year’s Nations League final.
For Maresca, the picture is delicate rather than dramatic. A fit Rodri strengthens Spain immediately, but every extra knockout minute tightens City’s pre-season margin.
The 30-year-old remains the squad’s most important control point. If Spain go deep, Maresca may have to build early midfield work around managed reintegration rather than full preparation.
Read Man City has already covered how Rodri’s Spain workload is being tracked closely before Maresca’s first season. The Portugal tie now brings that issue into sharper focus.
Rodri’s message calms the short-term injury noise. It also leaves City with a bigger planning question: how quickly can their midfield anchor return from a demanding summer and still lead the first tactical phase of the post-Pep Guardiola era?
