Spanish midfielder Rodri, a player for Manchester City's first team, will undergo back surgery on Monday after leading his national team to win the 2026 World Cup against Argentina last Sunday and being named the tournament's best player. Enzo Maresca, the new Italian manager of Manchester City, said on Friday that 'Rodri will undergo surgery and needs a break, rest, and good recovery before joining the team.' When asked about rumors of a potential move for the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner to Real Madrid, the former Chelsea coach described those reports as mere 'speculation.' He added: 'We have to admit that rumors always surround big players. I am not worried about that. I think this is completely normal.' He continued: 'Spain won the World Cup, and Rodri was the best player in the tournament.. I think all managers would want to have Rodri in their teams because he is a great player.' According to several Spanish media outlets, Rodri wishes to join Real Madrid, which has made the 30-year-old midfielder its top priority to strengthen its midfield. Rodri had confirmed, when asked before the 2026 World Cup about this possibility, that his previous stint with Atletico Madrid, Real's traditional rival, would not be an obstacle to any potential future move. Maresca was appointed as the successor to Spanish coach Pep Guardiola after the Catalan manager stepped down at the end of last season, following a highly successful tenure that lasted ten years during which he won 20 titles across all competitions, including six Premier League titles, four of them consecutively in an unprecedented achievement, as well as a Champions League title.