The unbelievable decline of the 2024 Golden Ball

Just one year after reaching the pinnacle of glory with the 2024 Ballon d'Or title, Rodri is going through the most difficult period of his career.

Rodri's decline just one year after winning the Golden Ball. Photo: Reuters .

Speaking on October 28, coach Pep Guardiola said about Rodri's current condition: "There is still no specific time frame for Rodri's return. He is not ready yet. Rodri's condition is definitely getting better, he is practicing some exercises with the team. But after what happened, with previous muscle injuries, we still have to wait and see."

From a symbol of durability and stability at Man City, the Spanish midfielder has now become a constant worry for coach Guardiola due to persistent injuries.

Rodri was forced off after just 22 minutes of the win over Brentford before the FIFA Days in October. The 29-year-old said he had “felt a slight strain in his hamstring”, a worrying sign for fans, especially as Rodri had only recently returned from a serious knee injury in September 2024.

A knee injury kept Rodri out of action for 236 days, missing 53 Man City games in all competitions. Although he returned in May and was used by Guardiola at the FIFA Club World Cup, his fitness is still unstable.

Injury becomes a nightmare for Rodri. Photo: Reuters .

Entering the 2025/26 season, Rodri has only played the full 90 minutes in 2/7 matches. Man City's coaching staff are forced to use him sparingly to avoid a recurrence of injury, which is completely opposite to the image of a midfielder who played more than 60 matches/season during his peak period.

Just a year ago, Rodri was the winner of the 2024 Ballon d'Or, beating a host of big names. He was once an important factor in Guardiola's playing style, contributing greatly to Man City's historic treble. But now, Rodri's fitness and form are in an unbelievable decline.

Guardiola remains patient, but that patience has its limits. In the context of a dense schedule, losing Rodri for too long has made Man City's midfield lose a solid support.

If he does not regain his best form soon, Rodri risks following in the footsteps of many Golden Ball winners who could not maintain their peak for long after reaching glory.

2 goals in the Arsenal - Man City match On the night of September 21, Arsenal and Man City drew 1-1 in round 5 of the Premier League at Emirates Stadium.

Source: https://znews.vn/man-xuong-doc-kho-tin-cua-qua-bong-vang-2024-post1597973.html