Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, the influential midfielder for Manchester City, has been confirmed to be out for the remainder of the 2024/25 season due to an ACL injury in his right knee. This injury occurred during a Premier League match against Arsenal, where he was forced to leave the game early.
Reports from multiple sources, including ESPN and Marca, have confirmed the severity of the injury, indicating that Rodri will require surgery and a significant recovery period, likely keeping him sidelined for the rest of the current season.
This injury comes at a particularly challenging time for Manchester City, not only due to Rodri’s pivotal role in the team’s midfield but also amidst discussions about player workload and potential strikes due to the demanding football calendar.
Rodri himself had recently voiced concerns over the number of games players are expected to compete in, suggesting that the situation might lead to a strike action among footballers.
The absence of Rodri, often considered one of the best holding midfielders in the world and a contender for the Ballon d’Or, poses a significant challenge for Manchester City’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.
His loss is not just a blow in terms of his on-pitch contributions but also his leadership and presence in the dressing room. Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, now faces the task of adapting their tactics or formations to cope without one of their key players for the remainder of the season.
