September 30, 2024, 19:12 Rodri had a conversation with John Stones following his season-ending knee injury. When John Stones chatted with Rodri after his operation, the Manchester City midfielder was in a good mood. After the Newcastle match on Sunday, Stones gave the Spaniard a call. The club then practiced and took off for Bratislava to begin their Champions League campaign. After undergoing surgery to repair a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Rodri will miss the entire season with the team.

It is a huge setback for Pep Guardiola and City in their pursuit of victory, but it’s also a huge letdown for a player who has risen to the peak of his game and was vying for the Ballon d’Or. Rodri will have to accept that he won’t be able to play football for the better part of a year, and the Blues will have to adjust to life with him. When Rodri spoke to his teammate over the weekend, Stones found him to be upbeat despite his seeming sadness. City can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves because they understand how valuable the 28-year-old is to them.

“He was in a good mood, understood what had happened, understood the process, and had accepted it, according to Stones. “I’m relieved to hear that he’s doing well. He’s spending time with his family, unwinding and trying to get well. “It’s unfortunate because he’s established an amazing standard over the last few seasons. We now have to anticipate his return since we are aware of the important role he has played for us. Hopefully returning shortly. However, we have many players of excellent caliber who are more than capable of stepping in at that position.”