A month after his ACL damage, Rodri claimed the Ballon d’Or trophy, awarded to the world’s finest footballer of the yr, after dropping only one recreation for membership and nation and serving to Spain triumph on the 2024 European Championship.

He returned to motion within the penultimate recreation of the 2024-25 marketing campaign in opposition to Bournemouth in Might and performed in all 4 video games on the Fifa Membership World Cup in america however endured an damage setback in Metropolis’s shock last-16 defeat by Saudi Arabia aspect Al-Hilal.

Rodri then missed the beginning of this season and has featured in solely eight Premier League and Champions League video games to this point, enjoying a complete of 415 minutes.

He sat out Tuesday’s thrilling 5-4 victory at Fulham, the place Marco Silva’s aspect threatened an unbelievable comeback from 5-1 behind.

“Rodri is one other stage of the gamers,” added Guardiola. “If Rodri got here on for the final 20 minutes in opposition to Fulham, put him within the center and are you aware what’s the impact? Simply his presence, not even touching the ball? The opposite 10 gamers really feel protected and so they play higher.

“What’s going to you do, you are a soccer participant or you’re a journalist, over 18 months you can not do your job. You wish to write, you need inspiration and present how good you might be and you can not do it. How do you’re feeling? It feels unhealthy.

“After all, he’s sturdy and in some moments he’s unhappy. I might not be comfortable if he’s not unhappy or involved. Forward of us, we have now many nightmare issues to stay. He must be there. He will probably be there.”