The first photo of Rodri’s scar from his recent anterior cruciate ligament surgery has surfaced on social media, giving fans a glimpse into his recovery journey. Rodri suffered the injury during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September, which has sidelined him for the remainder of the Premier League season.

Without him, Manchester City has struggled, managing only one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. Despite this setback, Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or in October, expressed hope to return in time for the Club World Cup in June.

He faced delays in surgery, likely due to swelling or the need to regain full range of motion in his knee. The procedure was finally completed last week in Madrid, and the viral image of his scar extends from around his patellar tendon to the top of the femur.

In an interview on The Rest is Football, Rodri discussed his injury and recovery, stating: “My goal is to return this season. I haven’t given up, but I also don’t want to make mistakes. I aim to be back in six or seven months. I’m much better than I expected. I’m enjoying the rest, if that’s possible.”

He recalled the initial shock of his injury, saying he didn’t feel a “crack,” and thought it wasn’t serious. However, the first month and a half were challenging due to pain, leaving him unable to walk. Now, he feels more optimistic as he progresses in his recovery.