Pep Guardiola has admitted Rodri returned from injury too soon but believes the key midfielder is now getting back towards his best.

Rodri sustained knee ligament damage in September 2024 – the same year he won the Ballon d’Or – and came back in May but he has struggled to regain the same level of influence for Manchester City, while he missed a chunk of this season with a hamstring injury.

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“He came back too early,” said boss Guardiola. “Our desire to get him back, him especially, he came back early, that’s why it was longer. It’s a good lesson.