Rodri pulls out of Spain squad after latest injury setback

Spain's football federation (RFEF) on Monday confirmed that Rodri has pulled out of his country's squad for World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria.

Rodri's injury nightmares continued on Sunday as the midfielder was substituted in the 21st minute of Manchester City's Premier League win away at Brentford.

The 29-year-old sat down in the centre circle holding his hamstring and eventually limped off to be replaced by Nico González.

Rodri sought to downplay the seriousness of the injury after the match.

"I felt a little bit in the hamstring -- but it seems as though it's not that much," Rodri told Sky Sports.

"I stretched a bit, like in the final of the Euros [when he had to go off injured]. But the most important thing is it's not that big."

He has been building up his fitness and sharpness as he bids to return to top form for club and country after the serious knee injury he suffered last season.

In a news release on Monday, the RFEF said that "the injury was confirmed by medical tests from his club."

Rodri underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after he suffered the issue -- which also affected the meniscus -- in a Premier League clash with Arsenal in September 2024.

After initially returning to action at the end of last season, Rodri has been working to return to the form that saw him win the Ballon d'Or last year.

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Spain are atop their World Cup qualifying group with a 100% record. Six points from matches against Georgia and Bulgaria will take them to the World Cup if Turkey fail to win in Bulgaria and Georgia draw with Turkey.