Spain midfielder Rodri Hernández has officially withdrawn from the national team squad for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after suffering a hamstring injury in Manchester City’s 1-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday.
The 29-year-old lasted just 21 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium before sitting down in visible discomfort. He was replaced by Nico Gonzalez, while an early strike from Erling Haaland secured all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Rodri Plays Down Injury Fears
Though initial concerns suggested a lengthy layoff, Rodri has reassured fans that the problem is minor.
“I felt a little bit in the hamstring, but it seems like it’s not that much. The good thing is the international break will help me recover,” he told Sky Sports.
This scare comes only months after Rodri returned from a serious ACL injury against Arsenal in September 2024 that required surgery and sidelined him for much of last season.
Spain Confirm Withdrawal
On Monday morning, the Spanish Football Federation confirmed Rodri’s withdrawal from the squad, ruling him out of crucial qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente will be forced to reshuffle his midfield as Spain push closer to World Cup qualification. Rodri’s absence will be a huge miss, given his tactical intelligence and composure in the heart of midfield.
Man City Prioritise Recovery Ahead of Everton
For Manchester City, the timing of the international break offers a window of rest. Pep Guardiola will hope Rodri recovers fully ahead of their Premier League clash against Everton on October 18, as City continue their battle at the top of the table.
While the hamstring problem appears minor, both Spain and City will be anxiously monitoring their midfield general.
#Rodri #ManchesterCity #SpainFootball #WorldCup2026 #RodriInjury #PepGuardiola #PremierLeague #SpainVsGeorgia #LaRoja #FootballNews
am not a football fan i don’t know