Lead

Manchester City will be without two of their biggest stars when they visit Seoul next month for their Asian tour. Midfielder Rodri and forward Erling Haaland will not travel with the squad, as confirmed by the club and reported by Yonhap News Agency and Al Jazeera.

Rodri, who captained Spain to their second World Cup title and won the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player, will undergo back surgery. New Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the surgery is scheduled for Monday, though he did not provide a timeline for Rodri's return. The club described the procedure as "minor" back surgery, according to Yonhap.

Haaland, who led Norway to the quarterfinals and finished tied for third at the World Cup with seven goals, will also skip the tour. Manchester City said players who reached the quarterfinals or beyond are entitled to required rest before the new Premier League season.

Coverage Comparison

Two outlets have covered the story from different angles. Yonhap News Agency focused on the practical implications of the players' absence for the Seoul leg of the tour, noting that Manchester City will play Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid. The report listed Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mateo Kovacic, and Phil Foden as players who will lead the squad during the tour.

Al Jazeera, meanwhile, centered its coverage on Maresca's unveiling as Manchester City's new manager and his comments about Rodri's future. The outlet reported that Maresca wants Rodri to stay at the club, despite speculation linking the midfielder elsewhere.

Both reports agree on the core facts: Rodri will miss the tour due to back surgery, and Haaland will be absent due to rest requirements following the World Cup. The club's statement, as quoted by Yonhap, explained that a "small number of players that reached the round of 16 will join for part of the tour but are not with the squad departing Manchester today."

Key Claims

  • Rodri and Erling Haaland will not join Manchester City's Asian tour, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Rodri underwent minor back surgery, according to the club and confirmed by Maresca, as reported by both Yonhap and Al Jazeera.
  • Haaland finished tied for third at the World Cup with seven goals, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Manchester City will play Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid during their Asian tour, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mateo Kovacic, and Phil Foden will lead Manchester City during the tour, as reported by Yonhap.
  • Enzo Maresca is the new coach of Manchester City, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Maresca wants Rodri to stay at the club, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Pep Guardiola departed from Manchester City, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Maresca has previous coaching experience at Leicester and Chelsea, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Perspectives

Manchester City's perspective

The club, through statements quoted by Yonhap, emphasized that the players' absence is due to required rest time permitted after deep runs at the World Cup. The decision is framed as part of standard preseason planning.

Enzo Maresca's perspective

In his unveiling, Maresca expressed confidence about Rodri's future at the club, dismissing speculation as normal for a top player. He said, "Around a big player, there is always speculation, so I'm not worried about that." He also noted that Rodri needs rest and recovery after surgery before returning to the team.

Rodri's situation

Rodri's injury history, including ACL damage in 2024, was highlighted by Al Jazeera, underscoring the physical toll of his recent season and World Cup campaign.