In the shadow of Kevin De Bruyne’s farewell, Rodri made his long-awaited return on Tuesday evening during Manchester City’s final home match against Bournemouth. City manager Pep Guardiola is very pleased with the return of the Ballon d'Or winner.
Rodri made his long-awaited return to action on Tuesday evening as Manchester City secured a vital 3-1 home win over AFC Bournemouth a result that kept their Champions League qualification hopes very much alive.
But beyond the scoreline, the night at the Etihad Stadium was filled with emotion, as fans witnessed not only a crucial three points but also two poignant moments: the farewell of club legend Kevin De Bruyne and the return of one of their most influential players, Rodri.
The Spanish midfielder had been out of action since September of last year after suffering a serious knee injury during a highly anticipated clash against Arsenal. At the time, Rodri’s absence was seen as a short-term blow, but the injury turned out to be more severe than expected, forcing him to miss eight months of the season. In his absence, Manchester City struggled to maintain the consistency and control that had defined them in recent years. Despite the presence of stars like Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva, the team’s midfield often lacked its usual structure and composure, and the results reflected that.
City endured a notably underwhelming season by their own standards, dropping vital points in matches they would normally dominate. In fact, the team lost nine league games during Rodri’s injury spell a stat that underlined just how important the Spaniard is to Guardiola’s tactical system. Known for his calm presence, tactical intelligence, and ability to dictate the rhythm of play, Rodri is considered by many as the heartbeat of the team.
Against Bournemouth, Rodri was greeted with a warm reception from the home crowd when he stepped onto the pitch in the 83rd minute, replacing Erling Haaland. While his contribution in the match was minimal due to the limited time, his presence alone brought a visible lift to his teammates and fans alike. Pep Guardiola, who has long hailed Rodri as one of the best midfielders in the world, didn’t hide his delight at having him back.
“It’s obviously fantastic to have Rodri back,” Guardiola told Sky Sports after the match. “The first step has been taken, but he’s still far from where he needs to be. It’s going to take months and months for him to fully return to form. We will take it slowly, manage his workload, and give him the time he needs.”
Despite playing only a few minutes, Rodri’s return also extended an impressive personal streak it was the 36th consecutive Premier League match in which City remained unbeaten with him on the pitch. The last time Manchester City lost a league game with Rodri playing was over a year ago, on February 5, 2023, in a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. That stat alone highlights his immense influence on the team’s performance and results.
The significance of Rodri’s return wasn’t only felt in Manchester. From Spain, warm wishes poured in for the 27-year-old. His former club Villarreal, where he developed as a youth player and played professionally between 2013 and 2018, also joined the celebration. The La Liga side took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their joy at seeing Rodri back in action.
“You’re unlikely to hear better news today,” Villarreal, currently sitting fifth in La Liga, wrote in their post. “The Ballon d'Or winner is back. Rodri is on the pitch again after eight months. What a joy, Rodriiii.”
Although Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is still far from match sharpness, his return could not have come at a more critical time. With a congested fixture list ahead and the race for European qualification heating up, Manchester City will need every ounce of experience and composure they can get and few players offer that more reliably than Rodri.
The next challenge for City will be to reintegrate him without overexerting the midfielder too soon. Guardiola and his medical team are expected to carefully manage Rodri’s playing time, likely using him off the bench in the coming matches before gradually restoring him to the starting lineup.
For now, though, Tuesday’s match will be remembered as more than just a win. It was a night of hope and renewal a sign that Manchester City, despite the turbulence of the past months, may be regaining their full strength just in time for the decisive stretch of the season.
