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Man City injury scare as Rodri on wrong end of 'one of worst tackles of my life'

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The star has already missed a large chunk of this season
The star has already missed a large chunk of this season

MANCHESTER CITY are on top of the world - but it came at a cost as they were left worrying on the condition of Rodri.

City thrashed Brazilian side Fluminense 4-0 in Jeddah to win the Club World Cup Final.

Rodri has issued Man City a huge injury scare eiqtiqrriddeprw
Rodri has issued Man City a huge injury scareCredit: Reuters
The Spaniard was clutching his knee in agony late on in their win over Fluminense
The Spaniard was clutching his knee in agony late on in their win over FluminenseCredit: Reuters
He received treatment on the field after the hefty challenge on him
He received treatment on the field after the hefty challenge on himCredit: Getty
Rodri was still able to go up and collect the Golden Ball trophy after the game
Rodri was still able to go up and collect the Golden Ball trophy after the gameCredit: Getty

But Pep Guardiola was left sweating on the fitness of influential midfielder Rodri after he was forced off with an injury late on.

The Spanish international, 27, was sent tumbling to the turf in agony after a shocking challenge from Fluminense’s Alexsander.

He did attempt to continue, but that did not last long as Guardiola decided to take no risks with the ace and soon brought him off.

Haaland enjoys New Years Eve at The Ivy with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng JohansenHaaland enjoys New Years Eve at The Ivy with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen

And fortunately, Rodri later confirmed he had escaped serious injury.

Speaking after the game, Rodri said: "I was very lucky today. It was one of the worst tackles in my career.

"I was so scared because I felt my knee but fortunately it was nothing.

"I said to the player: 'You cannot do these kind of actions.'

"Today, I won more than a trophy. I go home safe but I was very close to crying. I felt very worried but it is nothing."

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The Cityzens were already 3-0 up when Rodri went off.

Julian Alvarez gave them the lead inside the first minute after he chested home the rebound after Nathan Ake's long-ranger bounced back off the post.

Phil Foden's deflected effort off defender Nino doubled the advantage on 27 minutes as City entered cruise control.

Guardiola picks side on BODY LANGUAGE as he tells Foden why he’s been on benchGuardiola picks side on BODY LANGUAGE as he tells Foden why he’s been on bench

The England star then ensured that his name was on the scoresheet when he added a third on 72 minutes.

Just seconds later City were handed their major injury worry when Rodri limped off.

"I was very lucky today. It was one of the worst tackles in my career."

Rodri

City lost all three matches when he was absent through suspension earlier this term and Guardiola will be desperate to have him available for the hectic festive period.

But Alvarez managed to end the night on a high for the Cityzens as he grabbed his brace in the closing stages to seal the thumping victory.

Rodri, fortunately, was still able to go up and be presented with the Golden Ball trophy, which was awarded to the player of the tournament, after the game.

And he was soon joined on the stage by his team-mates as they lifted the Club World Cup.

Man City were still celebrating at the end after winning the Club World Cup
Man City were still celebrating at the end after winning the Club World CupCredit: AFP

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Gary Stonehouse

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