Rodri Withdraws from Spain Squad Due to Hamstring Injury

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri was forced to leave the pitch due to an injury during their match against Brentford

Spain has confirmed that Manchester City's Rodri will not join the national team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a hamstring injury sustained during City's 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.

Rodri's injury woes continue to cause concerns, given his history of knee problems...

Rodri has withdrawn from the Spain squad due to a hamstring injury he sustained during Manchester City's 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday. He was replaced by Nico Gonzalez in the 21st minute after feeling discomfort in his hamstring. The Spanish national team confirmed his withdrawal, citing the injury as the reason he won't join the squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Rodri's absence is a significant blow for Spain, particularly with key matches approaching against Georgia on October 11 and Bulgaria on October 14. This injury comes after Rodri's prolonged absence last season due to a serious knee injury that required surgery. Despite the setback, Rodri downplayed the severity of the injury, stating it wasn't too serious and that the international break would provide an opportunity for recovery.

Rodri's injury woes continue to cause concerns, given his history of knee problems, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September 2024 that kept him sidelined for eight months. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed concern over Rodri's fitness, highlighting the importance of the player to the team's ambitions. Rodri's participation in the next Premier League match against Everton on October 18 remains uncertain.

"I feel a little bit in the hamstring but seems like it's not that much"

Rodri discusses the extent of his hamstring injury he suffered in Manchester City's 1-0 win against Brentford 💭 pic.twitter.com/EKDh8l1OOP

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 5, 2025

Rodri's withdrawal from Spain's squad due to a hamstring injury has left a gap in the team. The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner had been a pivotal player for Spain, playing a key role in their Euro 2024 triumph. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024, which caused him to miss most of the last season.

Borja Iglesias has been called up to replace Lamine Yamal, who suffered a thigh injury and will be out for several weeks. Iglesias, a striker for Celta Vigo, brings a different profile to the team with his physical presence and hold-up play. He last played for Spain in March 2023 and had voluntarily stepped away from the national team due to a controversy involving Luis Rubiales. Iglesias has since rediscovered his form, scoring 17 goals in 51 matches, including 6 in 10 appearances this season.

Borja Iglesias, convocado con la @Sefutbol para los encuentros ante Georgia y Bulgaria.

ℹ️ Más información: https://t.co/HHO0S9GOxw. #VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/YvtUOxfwIw

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) October 5, 2025

Iglesias's addition to the squad is expected to provide a boost to Spain's attacking options. He'll join the team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia on October 11 and Bulgaria on October 14. With Rodri's injury, Spain's midfield will also be affected, and coach Luis de la Fuente will need to make adjustments to accommodate the absence of his star player.