Instead of being on the pitch, Manchester City midfielder Rodri was spotted enjoying a completely different kind of sporting event—Super Bowl LIX.
The Spanish star made an unexpected appearance at Caesars Superdome, where he witnessed the Philadelphia Eagles claim a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rodri wasn’t the only footballer enjoying the spectacle.
Lionel Messi, along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, were also in attendance, soaking in the electric atmosphere of the NFL’s biggest night.
Rodri Opens Up About His Injury Recovery
Speaking to Sky Sports during the event, Rodri provided an update on his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him sidelined since Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September.
Taking a philosophical approach, Rodri acknowledged that injuries are an inevitable part of an athlete’s journey.
“It’s part of life. As athletes, we get used to these things,” he shared.
“But I try to stay positive. I see it as an opportunity to focus on other things—spend time with family, work on different parts of my body, and come back even stronger.”
Manchester City included Rodri in their Champions League knockout phase squad, sparking hope that he might return before the season ends.
However, his involvement remains uncertain, and he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming match against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.
Watching From the Sidelines Is No Easy Task
Rodri admitted that being unable to play has been a frustrating experience.
“I don’t deal well with it. You’re more nervous because you can’t control anything,” he explained.
“But I try to support my team, share my insights, and help in any way I can from the outside.”
His absence has been felt on the field, with City dropping to fifth place in the Premier League standings.
Fans and analysts alike believe his injury has played a significant role in the team’s struggles this season.
Manchester City’s Midfield Reinforcement Faces Setback
To strengthen the squad in Rodri’s absence, City signed former Barcelona academy product Nico Gonzalez from Porto for £50.2 million.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, Gonzalez suffered an injury just 22 minutes into his debut against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.
His availability for the Champions League clash against Real Madrid remains uncertain.
In addition to Gonzalez, City registered two other January signings—Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush—for the Champions League squad.
However, Brazilian youngster Vitor Reis, who joined from Palmeiras for £29.4 million, was left out.
Real Madrid Dealing With Defensive Injuries
Madrid isn’t without its own injury concerns.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has been hit hard, with key defenders David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rudiger all sidelined. Rudiger, in particular, was ruled out for approximately 20 days last week.
With a depleted backline, Ancelotti may have to rely on a makeshift defense featuring 21-year-old academy product Raul Asencio alongside midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni in central defense.
What’s Next?
As Manchester City prepares to face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League clash, the team continues to battle through injuries and squad adjustments.
Fans are eager to see whether Rodri can make a return before the season concludes and whether City can find stability in midfield.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be hoping their injury-hit defense can withstand the attacking threats of Pep Guardiola’s side.
With both teams facing challenges, this high-stakes encounter promises to be a fascinating showdown.
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