Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that Rodri's availability for the FIFA World Cup is uncertain, stating there is "a chance" the midfielder may not be fit. The Manchester City boss made the admission while discussing the club's preparations for the tournament.
Guardiola emphasized that City are a stronger side with Rodri in the lineup but noted that Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, and Bernardo Silva are capable deputies. He insisted the team's struggles in the 2024-25 season were not solely due to Rodri's absence.
The Spanish international has been sidelined with an injury, and his recovery timeline remains unclear. Guardiola expressed confidence that Rodri will be ready if selected, but stopped short of guaranteeing his participation.
City's performance without Rodri has been a topic of debate, with the manager pushing back against claims the team's form entirely hinged on one player. "We have other quality players who can step up," Guardiola said.
A potential Rodri absence could impact Spain's World Cup campaign, as he is a key figure for the national side. Guardiola's comments add to the uncertainty surrounding the player's fitness.
Counter-argument: Some analysts argue that City's dip in form was directly correlated to Rodri's injury, while Guardiola downplays this narrative to maintain squad morale.
AI context: This brief is based solely on the Yahoo Sports article. No independent confirmation of Rodri's fitness status has been obtained. The article's predictions about World Cup participation are speculative.