First picture emerges of Rodri’s scar after surgery on ACL injury suffered against Arsenal

Rodri suffered a devastating ACL injury during Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September, sidelining him for the remainder of the Premier League season. The Spanish midfielder, who won the Ballon d’Or in October, expressed hope of returning to action for the Club World Cup in June.

City have struggled in his absence, securing just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. Despite his optimistic outlook, Rodri had to delay surgery on his knee, likely due to swelling or the need to regain full range of movement before the operation. The surgery was successfully completed last week in Madrid, with an image of the resulting scar going viral on social media. The scar spans from his patella tendon to the top of his femur.

In an appearance on *The Rest is Football*, Rodri shared insights into his recovery journey:

“My goal is to return this season. I haven’t given up, but I also don’t want to make mistakes. My aim is to be back in six or seven months. I’m much better than I expected. I’m enjoying the rest, if that’s possible. When I got injured, I didn’t feel a ‘crack’; my knee felt stable. I thought it wasn’t very serious, and now I’m feeling optimistic. The first month and a half was tough because of the pain—I couldn’t walk—but now it’s easier.”

Recovery Time for ACL Injuries

Recovering from an ACL injury typically takes at least eight to nine months, with elite athletes occasionally achieving full recovery in as little as six months. However, such rapid recoveries are rare. Surgery is necessary for the ACL to heal, as the ligament cannot repair itself.

In contrast, a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injury may heal faster, given its stronger structure. For MCL (medial collateral ligament) injuries, minor tears can often heal without surgery, while more severe tears generally require surgical intervention.