Rodri will begin the match on the bench as he works his way back to full match fitness. Officially unveiled by the club a few weeks ago, the former Manchester City star is still conditioning following his procedure.

With Barcelona looking to keep pace at the top of the LaLiga table, Rodri could feature as a second-half substitute. Meanwhile, fellow summer acquisition Anthony Gordon has already made his debut for the squad, appearing in a dominant 5-0 victory over Elche.

Ahead of the season, pundit Steve McManaman sat down with Bolavip US to discuss Gordon’s fit with the team. For Barcelona supporters, featuring both Gordon and Rodri in the squad signals major ambition for the campaign ahead.

Barcelona’s starting XI against Athletic Club

While Rodri awaits an opportunity off the bench, head coach Hansi Flick has named his strongest available lineup for Barcelona’s second fixture of the domestic campaign in LaLiga.

Here is Barcelona’s starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia
• Defenders: Xavi Espart, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin
• Midfielders: Marc Bernal, Pedri, Fermin Lopez
• Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Anthony Gordon

Anticipation is high for the midfielder’s debut, with fans in the stands eager to catch a glimpse of the World Cup champion in action following his successful tenure with Manchester City.

Rodri is sidelined for Manchester City‘s showdown against Arsenal after undergoing surgery to address a minor back injury. His delayed return to club duty comes on the heels of helping lead Spain to the 2026 World Cup title earlier this summer.

Beyond his physical recovery, Rodri’s long-term future in Manchester has become a topic of intense debate. His absence from the pitch has only fueled ongoing transfer speculation regarding whether the star midfielder will remain at the Etihad Stadium this season or seek a high-profile move elsewhere in Europe.

With live US streaming details officially set for Arsenal vs Manchester City, American fans are eager to tune in to watch last season’s top two English heavyweights go head-to-head. Arsenal enter as the reigning Premier League champion, while Manchester City arrive fresh off hoisting the FA Cup.

Rodri’s reported suitors ahead of the new season

As City prepare to battle Arsenal for the season’s first piece of domestic silverware, club executives are also monitoring transfer interest in Rodri, long considered the engine room of the squad under former manager Pep Guardiola.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona have emerged as the leading contender to land the midfielder should he depart. While rival rumors linked Rodri to Real Madrid, reports indicate Real president Florentino Perez has ruled out a move for the veteran star.

Confirmed injury reports for City and Arsenal

Anticipation is at a fever pitch for this 2026–27 season curtain-raiser, but both squads enter the Community Shield shorthanded. Alongside Rodri, Manchester City will be without rising young defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.

Arsenal face significant roster absences of their own, with key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both ruled out due to injury. Despite missing key cornerstones, supporters on both sides are eager to see how new summer signings perform in their first high-stakes test of the new campaign.

Enzo Maresca said, via Fabrizio Romano, that “Rodri will have surgery on a back problem on Monday. He needs holiday, he needs to rest, recovery, and then he will be back here with us.”

The severity of the injury and the return timetable is still not clear, but given that the 2026-2027 Premier League season starts on August 21, it’s likely that Rodri will miss the start of the season. After all, he also needs to rest, as Maresca said.

Maresca praised Rodri massively

A new era is beginning in the Manchester City realm, as Pep Guardiola left after a decade of high success and Enzo Maresca was appointed as his successor. Maresca learned from Guardiola, as he was his assistant, but Rodri will be key to help him replicate his mentor’s historic run.

Maresca praised Rodri a lot, “Every manager wants to have Rodri, because he’s a top player.” Rodri was linked to Real Madrid after shining for Spain, but after hearing Maresca, he is not going anywhere.

Rodri has re-defined what soccer stardom looks like

In a day and age where flashy plays and a rockstar lifestyle rule the world, Rodri is a low-profile, efficient, and pragmatic player. He doesn’t use flashy skills, he doesn’t wear extravagant clothing, he just dominates the game with surgical precision and high IQ.

He has now won a Ballon d’Or, a World Cup, a World Cup Golden Ball, and an Euro, just to mention some of his recent accolades. Rodri has conquered soccer in a way that is not-so-popular nowadays. These are Rodri full accolades:

• 1x Ballon d’Or
• 1x Player of the Year
• 1x World Cup winner
• 1x World Cup Golden Ball
• 1x EURO
• 1x UEFA Champions League
• 4x Premier League
• 2x UEFA Supercup
• 1x UEFA Nations League
• 1x FIFA Club World Cup
• 2x English FA Cup
• 3x English League Cup
• 1x English Supercup

However, according to football insider Fabrizio Romano, Perez is personally vetoing any potential deal for the Manchester City star. “I’m being told that Florentino Perez is personally blocking Rodri’s move to Real Madrid. He is shutting the door. Rodri genuinely dreams of joining, but Perez does not want him,“ Romano reported on X.

It is a stunning stance considering Rodri was just awarded the Golden Ball as the 2026 World Cup’s best player over Lionel Messi, making it surprising that one of global soccer’s most prominent executives would pass on him.

By claiming the tournament’s top individual honor, Rodri joined an elite group of World Cup legends—a list that notably excludes Cristiano Ronaldo—further cementing his status as one of the premier midfielders of his generation.

Rodri’s past could be the issue

Despite his individual brilliance in anchoring Spain’s World Cup run, Rodri’s past ties to cross-town rival Atletico Madrid could be the ultimate dealbreaker. Given the fierce, deeply rooted rivalry between the two Madrid clubs, Perez may view signing a former Colchonero as a move that wouldn’t sit well with the Real Madrid faithful.

Still, intrigue surrounds Rodri’s club future following his dominant 2026 World Cup performance. Coming off a Ballon d’Or-winning campaign and stellar domestic form with Manchester City, he remains one of the most coveted figures on the global transfer market.

Rodri’s performance in the 2026 World Cup

Regardless of Perez’s reported disinterest, Rodri proved during the tournament that he has the quality to transform any midfield in world football. Here is a closer look at his standout performance on international soccer’s biggest stage:

• Matches played: 8
• Minutes played: 726′
• Goals / Assists: 0 / 0
• Expected assists (xA): 1.09
• Passes completed / Attempted: 756 / 811 (1st in tournament)
• Passing accuracy: 93.2%
• Passes completed in final third: 204 (1st in tournament)
• Touches: 910 (1st in tournament)
• Tackles: 26 (1st in tournament)
• High-intensity runs: 919 (1st in tournament)

FIFA takes these rankings seriously. Up first are the attacking stats, where Mbappé posted a 9.12 rating and snagged the Golden Boot, even without playing in the World Cup Final. Messi finished third in those standings, trailing Jude Bellingham.

Creativity is another key category in the rankings. Olise grabbed top honors with an 8.29 rating, edging out Messi’s 8.26. The top 10 is dominated by French, Spanish, and English players, alongside Jeremy Doku and Mexico‘s Roberto Alvarado sitting at number 10.

The post-world cup FIFA power rankings

Messi’s overall position isn’t bad for a veteran nearing retirement. Players like Bellingham surpassed him in attacking thanks to strong tournament runs; England playing in the third-place match gave Bellingham an extra game to pad his numbers.

What pushed Olise to the top spot in creativity was his assist total, helping propel France through the bracket. He racked up seven assists during the World Cup, placing him ahead of both Messi and Mbappe.

Rodri also deserves a nod. He isn’t a flashy attacker like Messi or Mbappe, but he was vital to Spain’s backline alongside four of his teammates. He leads the defensive rankings with an 8.23 rating, with Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro, and Aymeric Laporte joining him in the top four.

While fans use post-World Cup FIFA power rankings for debate, the industry views them as a data-driven snapshot of tournament performance. Beyond individual prestige, a standout placement in these rankings can directly influence a player’s transfer value, contract negotiations, and career trajectory.

Messi, with eight distinctions, is the player with the most Ballon d’Or awards in history, although he enters this year’s race from behind. He won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, lifted two Copa America titles with his national team, and also won the Champions League with Barcelona.

Which trophy has eluded CR7? The World Cup. Ronaldo has won the Champions League with Real Madrid, lifted the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, and claimed five Ballon d’Or awards. However, the biggest prize at the international level remained out of reach, as he was unable to win it across his six World Cup appearances.

Other players in this elite group are Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller from Germany, along with Zinedine Zidane of France. In addition, two Brazilian legends have achieved the same feat: Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

Rodri’s trophy cabinet

Rodri has established himself as one of soccer’s ultimate winners, boasting an incredible track record at both club and international levels. On June 10, 2023, he scored the historic winning goal to secure the UEFA Champions League title for Manchester City.

Just over a year later, on July 14, 2024, he led Spain to European glory by winning the UEFA Euro and earning Player of the Tournament honors. His dominance was individually crowned on October 28, 2024, when he won the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Capping off this legendary run, he reached the absolute pinnacle of world soccer by becoming a FIFA World Cup champion with Spain, and also being awarded with the World Cup Golden Ball.

Ronaldo can no longer join them

This was Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup, and his dream of winning the title came to an end after Portugal’s elimination at the hands of Spain. The forward made it clear that this was his final appearance at the tournament representing his country, meaning he will not be able to join the exclusive group of players who have won all four of these major honors.

“I hope my story will be taken by young players as an example: even when your career goes down, you can always come back,” Rodri said after the final. His message highlights that it is entirely possible to return to the highest level of the game, regardless of how devastating an injury might seem.

The midfielder, who also took home the Golden Ball as the 2026 World Cup’s best player, tore his ACL back in 2024. While he recovered, his form initially dipped. However, he fought his way back to peak condition just in time to lead Spain on the world stage.

The engine behind Spain’s championship run

Rodri’s impact wasn’t just felt through his words; his younger teammates deeply recognized his leadership on the pitch. Spanish defender Marc Cucurella echoed this sentiment perfectly.

“He controls everything. He organizes the team, he decides when we press, he decides when we attack,” Cucurella said. His praise underscores how Rodri directed the squad, guiding the younger players as they picked apart Argentina‘s defense.

Will Rodri suit up for Spain in 2030?

By the time the 2030 World Cup kicks off, Rodri will be 33, turning 34 on June 22 during the tournament. Given his role as the team’s indispensable midfield anchor, it is highly likely he will still be a crucial part of Spain’s roster in 2030.

There is a case for both players to win the Golden Ball. Rodri not only helped Spain win the 2026 World Cup, but he was the metronome and the one who controlled the tempo of the game. Without him, Spain didn’t have balance. Rodri now joins the list of the all-time FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winners.

As for Messi, the only reason Argentina got to the final was thanks to his heroics. At 39 years old, Messi scored eight goals and provided four assists. Out of Argentina’s 19 goals, Messi was involved in 12 of them.

Messi deserves huge recognition

Messi cried after the World Cup final, and it’s understandable. Not only is the pain of losing this game a huge blow, but it also meant that Messi’s heroics at 39 years old weren’t enough, his team end up falling short.

Without Rodri, Spain would’ve still been a contender. Maybe not enough to win it all, but still juggernauts. Without Messi, Argentina’s World Cup campaign would’ve likely been way shorter.

Messi’s has nothing to be ashamed of

Many are quick to blame the biggest star of the losing team. After all, they’re the ones that should guide their team to gold. For Messi, he did all he could. It was a matter of Spain being completely superior to Argentina in all fronts.

After a heated showdown in Dallas, Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton wasn’t exempt from criticism. First, Didier Deschamps questioned the officiating after France’s loss. Not long after, Rodri joined in, even though he was on the winning side. When both teams have complaints about the referee, though, it sometimes suggests he actually did a good job. In more ways than one, that’s true for Barton.

Still, Rodri believes the referee decisions involving Yamal aren’t exclusive to Barton’s performance and have been a recurring theme throughout the 2026 World Cup.

“We’ve been dealing with this type of situation for three games now. We’re talking about 10 or 15 uncalled fouls. And if we don’t call them, the defenses continue to do the same thing. The permissiveness is obvious,” Rodri stated after the game, via RMC Sport. “Especially today. But [Lamine Yamal] had a great game.”

Barton’s controversial calls

The main criticism of Barton’s officiating in the semifinal between France and Spain isn’t linked to the calls he made on the pitch, but rather the ones he missed. There is no doubt that Digne’s dangerous challenge on Yamal warranted a penalty, but there were other incidents Barton failed to punish.

The most serious was a harsh challenge by Michael Olise on Rodri, with contact made to the midfielder’s ankle. Barton blew his whistle but showed no cards, and the VAR booth didn’t summon him to the monitor for an on-field review. Another controversial decision came on a play in which Unai Simon—whose numbers at the 2026 World Cup have virtually secured the Golden Glove award—took a while to collect the ball. Kylian Mbappe challenged for possession with a high boot that caught the goalkeeper.

Mbappe was shown only a yellow card for the offense, but he could have deserved a harsher punishment. Had he been sent off, Mbappe would have missed the third-place match at the 2026 World Cup and likely fallen out of the Golden Boot race, in which Lionel Messi is set for a direct battle with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

Yamal’s outing against France

Although he didn’t register a goal or an assist, Yamal was impossible to miss during Spain’s victory over France in the Lone Star State. The 19-year-old wonderkid was responsible for Spain’s first goal of the game, as he was fouled inside the penalty box by Lucas Digne. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot, but it was the young phenom who put him in that position in the first place.

Yamal also scored after a brilliant move, but the goal was disallowed for a narrow offside. As a result, stat-sheet watchers may not appreciate his performance, but Yamal played a superb game against France.

Moreover, he has yet to play at his absolute best, which means he might be saving his best for last as Spain wait to learn who they will face in the 2026 World Cup final. Whoever prevails between Argentina and England may have to prepare for Yamal’s best performance of the tournament.

Rodri gave a clear answer about who he thinks are the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or. “Out of affection, I would like Lamine or Pedri to win, although if it’s based on sporting merits, maybe Ousmane or Vitinha,” he said at the press conference. Although he mentioned Yamal as one of the favorites, implying that he does not have sufficient sporting merits was somewhat controversial.

In the 2024-25 season, Lamine Yamal emerged as one of the world’s top talents, netting 18 goals and delivering 25 assists over 55 appearances for Barcelona. His influence extended to the international stage, where he shone for Spain in the Nations League, scoring three goals and contributing one assist. Despite being 18 years old and not winning the 2025 Champions League title, his remarkable performances have solidified his status among the elite.

Rodri made headlines by including Pedri and Vitinha among his favorite players for the prestigious award. While neither player is known for scoring goals like wingers or forwards, their recent performances have been vital, significantly impacting their team’s offense. Notably, Vitinha stands out as a strong contender for the award, having clinched both the Champions League and Nations League titles last season.

When will the winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or be announced?

Following an action-packed season, anticipation for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is reaching a fever pitch as several standout candidates vie for soccer’s most prestigious individual honor. The winner will be revealed on Monday, September 22, during a grand ceremony at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

Either Dembele or Lamine could make history by winning the Ballon d’Or

Despite featuring strong contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal are the top favorites to chinch the award. And both have opportunities to make history. if Paris Saint-Germain’s standout Dembele wins, he will become the sixth French player to earn the honor. This victory would elevate France to eight awards, tying with Argentina for the most in the award’s history.

Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal holds the potential to set an astonishing record. Should the Barcelona prodigy win, he would become the youngest Ballon d’Or recipient ever, achieving this feat at just 18 years and 2 months old. This would surpass Ronaldo Nazario’s milestone, established when he won at 21 years and 3 months.

“I can try to understand people who say from their couch: ‘You earn a lot of money, so you have to play.’ My reflection is that we simply need a little more rest. We can play the same number of games, but we should have more rest during the holidays to try to regenerate the body, try to come back and withstand the burden of so many games,” Kylian Mbappe said at a press conference with France.

Even if playing 60 games a year is standard for an NBA player, who might compete in a little over 80 games, the difference in rest periods makes Kylian’s request quite reasonable. According to FIFPro, soccer players receive a four-week break after their season concludes. Meanwhile, NBA players can rest for three months or even longer. This clear difference underscores the justification behind Mbappe’s words.

Kylian delved deeper into the conversation, emphasizing that an increased number of games does not necessarily translate to a better spectacle. He remarked, “I don’t remember seeing a soccer player who has played 60 games in a season at the highest level. I’ve seen some who are considered the best players in history, others who are perhaps a step below, but I’ve never seen a soccer player play 60 games at his best.”

Not only Kylian: Other soccer stars also voice concerns over intense match schedules

Although Kylian Mbappe is the latest player to speak out about FIFA‘s demanding schedule, he is not the first to raise concerns on the matter. Following the announcement of the 2025 Club World Cup, critics, including head coaches like Enzo Maresca and prominent players, quickly expressed their dissatisfaction over the minimal rest period after the season’s end. In response, two more soccer stars have echoed these critics.

Jules Kounde, star player for Barcelona and France, also decided to express his opinion about the high intensity of the professional schedule. “Sometimes in life, when we overdo things, we stop appreciating them. When we see too much, we no longer give it the same importance. That’s what’s happening with soccer — it’s overconsumption… These are things we need to put into perspective and I think they need to change.”

Rodri Hernandez, the latest Ballon d’Or winner, expressed dissatisfaction with the intense schedule in September 2024. “I think it’s too much. Someone has to look after us, because we are the protagonists of this sport, or business, or whatever you want to call it. It’s not all about money or marketing, it’s also about the quality of the spectacle… When the number of games increases, their performance and quality decrease.“