Article #85693

• Spain’s World Cup-winning captain may require surgery

• Latest injury setback for midfielder in recent seasons

Rodri could face an extended period of time out with a back injury, which may require surgery.

The 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder returned to his finest form at the World Cup following two injury-plagued seasons. Having captained Spain to Sunday’s 1-0 final win over Argentina in New Jersey, Rodri was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Yet he may now require an operation on a back issue that is set to rule him out for the start of the season.