Pep Guardiola admits Rodri return was 'too early' as Man City brace for Newcastle clash

Rodri, now 29, suffered knee ligament damage in September 2024, the same year he won the Ballon d'Or. He returned in May but struggled to regain his usual influence and later missed a significant part of this season with a hamstring problem.

Guardiola was honest about the situation. "He came back too early," he said. "Our desire to get him back, him especially, he came back early, that's why it was longer. It's a good lesson. Human beings have a time for recovery."

The City manager explained that not all players heal at the same speed. "There are players who can recover earlier, like Bernardo or Phil, and other ones need more time. Still it's not his best but every time his mood and his training and his playing is improving. He's a special player."

Rodri's contract expires next summer, and Guardiola made his feelings clear. "I would love that desperately. Rodri is Rodri. As much age as he has, more wiser, more understanding of the game. There are players that are defined on the big stages, in the difficulties, and Rodri's one of them."

City host Newcastle at the Etihad on Saturday at 20h00, with the later kick-off giving Eddie Howe's side extra recovery time after their midweek trip to face Qarabag in the Champions League. Guardiola, a long-time critic of the packed schedule, welcomed the decision.

"Big compliment for the Premier League to put the game to 8 p.m. and not 3 p.m. after this trip," he said. "Hopefully the experience can be provided for the future."

Despite Newcastle sitting 10th and losing on their last 12 league visits to the Etihad, Guardiola expects a tough contest. "I saw the last game against Qarabag and it was exceptional," he said. "The rhythm and the intensity and the pace they are playing is the Newcastle I remember. Every team can drop points. It happened to all the teams."