Rodri returns to play for Manchester City after his serious knee injury

Manchester City's Rodrigo Hernández felt like a footballer again on Tuesday, playing the final ten minutes of the Premier League match against Bournemouth.

The Spanish Ballon d'Or winner tore his cruciate knee ligament in September in a Premier League match against Arsenal, and this was his first call-up in eight months.

The Spanish player had been with the team in recent matches, including last Saturday's FA Cup final, which Pep Guardiola 's team lost to Crystal Palace. He was finally able to return to the pitch this Tuesday with City beating Bournemouth 2-0.

Rodri has returned in time for the final stretch of this Premier League, in which City are close to qualifying for the Champions League after thrashing Iraola 's Bornemouth (3-1), and this will serve as a warm-up for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14 and in which the citizens are one of the favorites.

Pep Guardiola 's side will need a draw on the final day to secure their place in the top continental competition, as in a hypothetical 69-all tie they have a better goal difference than Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa.