Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
The club have now learned the influential Spain international suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in Sunday’s clash with Premier League title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
The 28-year-old has undergone surgery and will not be available again until the 2024-25 campaign.
Guardiola said at a press conference: “He got the surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus.
“So, next season he’ll be here. This season is over.
“Unfortunately he got the worst (news), but it is what it is. In this level sometimes, unfortunately, it happens.
“We are there to support him, a good recovery, step by step and move forward.”
Rodri’s absence will leave a huge void with the champions having not lost any of their last 48 Premier League matches in which he has featured.
He has been a vital component of four title-winning sides since joining the club in 2019. He also scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final and is one of the leading contenders to win this year’s Ballon d’Or award after helping Spain to Euro 2024 success.
Guardiola said: “What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player but the other players altogether can replace what Rodri has given since he arrived.
“We have to do it as a team and we have to find the way to play during a lot (of) months without an important player. Everybody knows it.
“But there is not one day in the last years where I was not confident. Of course we are stronger with him, we know that, we don’t want it, but football happens.
“We have magnificent players and we will find the solution.”
Rodri had already endured a frustrating start to the campaign having suffered an injury in the Euro 2024 final.
He returned to action for Spain during the September international break and the Arsenal encounter had been his first start for City.
Guardiola said: “Absolutely the national team want to do the best for Rodri. He came back and after he was injured.
“He played really good against Inter and then that happened against Arsenal. It is not related to the fact he went to the national team.”
Guardiola has also confirmed playmaker Kevin De Bruyne will also miss Saturday’s trip to Newcastle.
The Belgium international has missed the last two games with a pelvic problem sustained in the Champions League opener against Inter Milan earlier this month.
Guardiola said: “I don’t know when he will be back. Maybe before the international break, or after. We will see.
“Since Eddie Howe was there, Newcastle have been one of the toughest, strongest opponents, at home and especially away. We are going ready for the battle.”