The Manchester City midfielder has been stepping up his comeback at the Club World Cup after spending nine months on the sidelines with the injury and says that it could be a while before he is able to find his best form once again.

Speaking ahead of City's final group game against Juventus on Thursday (26.06.25), Rodri said: "I feel very, very strong, to be honest.

"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."

City failed to win a trophy for the first time in eight years as the season played out in Rodri's absence, although the Spanish international says it is an easy excuse to blame the club's poor campaign on his injury.

He said: "Well, it's a very simplistic analysis.

"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."