‘One of the worst of my career’ – Rodri issues injury update after ugly tackle during Club World Cup final

Rodri says he will be fit for City’s return to Premier League action at Everton on Wednesday despite suffering “one of the worst tackles” of his career during Club World Cup final against Fluminense.

Man City received their fifth trophy of 2023 by thrashing Brazil aspect Fluminense 4-0 in Saudi Arabia, thanks to a brace from Alvarez, a Foden strike and an own-goal off Nino.

It completes the best year in the club’s history that has also seen them win the treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, as well as the UEFA Super Cup.

However, the temper was barely dampened by the sight of Rodri hobbling off the pitch within the 74th minute.

The defensive midfielder was caught on the ankle by Alexsander and appeared to be in appreciable ache, before heading over to the touchline.

He carried on enjoying for the subsequent couple of minutes however went down once more, overlaying his face together with his palms as his teammates went over to consolation him, before finally coming off for Manuel Akanji.

Post-match, the 27-year-old was named Player of the Tournament and appeared to walking okay as he went up to collect the Gold Ball, before looking full of spirits as he took part in the celebrations.

An injury to Rodri would be bad news for Pep Guardiola and a good news for City’s Premier League title rivals – Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Vill and Tottenham – with City back in action on the 27th December when they travel to Everton.

It was later reported that Rodri left the stadium with strapping round his proper knee, however in response to Sky Sports the participant himself says he’s wonderful.

‘I was very lucky today,’ he is reported to have told Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

 ‘It was one of the worst tackles in my career. I was so scared because I felt my knee but fortunately it was nothing.’

‘I said to the player: ‘You cannot do these kind of actions.’

‘Today, I won more than a trophy. I go home safe but I was very close to crying. I felt very worried but it is nothing.’

Asked to confirm whether he will be fit for the trip to Goodison Park, Rodri added: ‘Yes. I have pain because it was very dramatic but nothing is affected.’

Perhaps even more than Erling Haaland, Rodri is City’s key player whom they struggle to live without, with the Spainard arguably the best in his position in the world.

The Citizens only have a short injury list but it’s full of key players, namely Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.