Pep Guardiola has conceded Manchester City midfielder Rodri was rushed back too soon from his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. 

Rodri suffered the injury during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Etihad Stadium in September 2024 after colliding with Thomas Partey inside the penalty area. 

The Spaniard, who later that year won the Ballon d'Or, returned to action in May 2025 but has struggled to regain the same level of influence for the Citizens. 

Rodri has endured another injury-hit campaign in 2025-26, having sustained a hamstring issue, which has limited him to 25 appearances in all competitions. 

And speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Newcastle United, Guardiola conceded that Rodri returned too soon from his first stay on the injury table. 

"He came back too early," said boss Guardiola. "It was our desire to get him back, him especially, and he came back early. That's why it was longer. It's a good lesson.

"Human beings have a time for recovery. There are players who can recover earlier, like Bernardo [Silva], for example, or Phil [Foden], and other ones need more time.

"Still, it's not his best, but every time his mood and his training and his playing [is improving]. He's a special player."

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Since joining City in 2019, Rodri has played a huge role in the club's success, winning 11 major honours, which include four Premier Leagues and one Champions League crown. 

He has made 286 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens, with only Bernardo Silva (338) and Phil Foden (319) making more for the club during that timeframe.

Rodri's contract runs out next summer and, when asked if he would like to see the midfielder remain at the Etihad, Guardiola said: "I would love [that] desperately.

"Rodri is Rodri. As much age as he has, he gets wiser, he develops more of an understanding of the game.

"There are players that are defined on the big stage, in difficulties, and Rodri's one of them, like Bernie, like Ruben [Dias], like many of them that I had in the past.

"You cannot achieve what we achieved if you don't have huge personalities."