Manchester City midfielder Rodri said that it could be “months” before he regain his best form after nine months out with a knee injury.
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Rodri said could be ‘months’ before regaining best form
The reigning Ballon d’Or winner has made three substitute appearances, including two at the Club World Cup.
Rodri underwent knee ligament surgery in September.
Manager Pep Guardiola hinted that the 29-year-old could make his first start in the Group G decider against Juventus on Thursday.
But ahead of the game, Rodri has insisted it could be “months” before he regain his best form.
“I feel very, very strong, to be honest,” said Rodri.
“The process was long, but I was taking my time. The most important thing was to keep focused and be strong.
“Don’t be sad or whatever. One day I’ll come back and this day has finally come and I’m very excited to play again.
“I know it’s still going to be months until I reach my level, but I’m so happy.”
The effect of Rodri’s absence
Rodri’s absence coincided with Manchester City’s worst season in a decade, as they surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool and faltered in the Champions League.
Guardiola experimented with Mateo Kovačić, İlkay Gündoğan, and Bernardo Silva in the midfield role before City signing Nico González in January.
No one truly filled the void left by Rodri, but he insists it’s too simplistic to blame City’s disappointing season solely on his absence.
“Well, it’s a very simplistic analysis,” he said.
“It is clear, as I have always said, that in the past we have also had important losses and the team gets over it.
“Whenever there are players missing, the team can get over it. But in the end, it is a season in which there are many more conditions that gave that feeling, not so much the results, but the team’s feeling.
“My mission is to try to return to the individual level and that the group can take the best from me, especially the leadership and the captaincy that I can show now, now that I am one of the three captains.
“Above all, I want to raise the morale of my team, which has been a winner, and I am sure we will do it again.”
