Manchester City player to undergo surgery – Expected to be out until February

Mateo Kovačić sat in silence that night after Manchester City’s 3–1 win over Bournemouth. The fans were celebrating, Pep Guardiola was smiling in his press conference, but deep inside the City camp, there was a quiet worry that no one wanted to talk about. The Croatian midfielder was not in the squad, and when Guardiola was asked about it after the match, he gave a short, serious answer: “He will be out for a while.” Those few words told the story of another painful twist in the career of a man who has already suffered more than most would ever know.

For Kovačić, football has always been about fighting pain — emotional pain, physical pain, the kind of struggle that hides behind every elegant touch and calm pass he makes on the pitch. He joined Manchester City with a dream of writing his own chapter in Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable machine. But what started with excitement and promise has turned into a battle against his own body, one that may keep him away from the field until February or even March

The story began months earlier. In June, when most footballers were on vacation, Kovačić was lying in a hospital bed after undergoing surgery on his heel. The doctors told him the procedure went smoothly, that the deformity causing him pain had been removed, and that he would come back stronger. For more than 100 days, he worked in silence — gym sessions, rehabilitation, endless hours with medical staff. He returned, played two matches, smiled again, and City fans welcomed him back with love. But just when it seemed the worst was over, the pain returned.

This time it was different — sharper, deeper, and more unpredictable. Every step felt like walking on fire. Every sprint felt like a knife twisting inside his heel. Kovačić knew immediately something wasn’t right. He told City’s doctors, and they ran the tests. He then travelled to London to meet the same specialist, Dr. James Caldar, who had performed the first operation. The scans showed what everyone feared — calcification had formed inside his heel. It meant that tiny deposits of calcium had hardened, creating new inflammation and pain that no simple therapy could solve.

City tried everything first — conservative treatment, special injections, custom shoes — but nothing worked. The pain wouldn’t go away. For Guardiola, who relies on rhythm and precision in every player, this was another blow to his season. The Spanish manager has already seen several of his midfielders suffer injuries this campaign, and now Kovačić, a player he trusted to bring calm and control in the middle, would be gone again.

By the end of that week, the decision was made — Kovačić would undergo another surgery. It would not be as serious as the first one, but it would still require recovery time of around four months. The operation would again be in London, and by the time he returns, the season might already be in its final stages. For a player who had dreamed of playing a bigger role in his second year at City, it was heartbreaking news.

Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere was heavy when the news broke. Teammates like Bernardo Silva and Rodri visited him, offering quiet support. “You’ll come back stronger,” they told him, but Kovačić just nodded. He knew how long and lonely the road back from surgery could be. Guardiola too, when asked about him, showed that mix of sympathy and frustration that only a coach under pressure can feel. “We will miss him,” Pep said. “He’s important for us, for our control, for our rhythm. But we have to move on.”

It’s a sentence Guardiola has said many times — “we have to move on” — yet deep inside, he knows that players like Kovačić don’t just get replaced easily. He was brought in to replace Ilkay Gündogan’s calm presence, to give balance when De Bruyne or Rodri were out, and now he’s missing too. For a team chasing another Premier League title, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Manchester City’s medical staff have confirmed that Kovačić’s rehabilitation will take about four months. If everything goes perfectly, he could be back by late February or early March. But those who know him understand that Kovačić won’t rush. He has learned from experience that forcing a comeback only leads to more pain. His body needs time, patience, and the right care.

The Croatian’s wife and family have been by his side through it all, staying in Manchester during the tough days. Those close to him say that he has taken the news with quiet strength — no complaints, no frustration, just a cold acceptance that injuries are part of his story. The pain, however, is more than physical. Footballers live for the roar of the crowd, the touch of the ball, the rhythm of the game — and for someone like Kovačić, who has played at the highest level for clubs like Real Madrid, Chelsea, and now Manchester City, being sidelined feels like losing part of himself.

The fans have responded with love. On social media, messages have poured in: “Get well soon, Mateo.” “We believe in you.” “You’ll come back stronger.” But for every word of encouragement, there’s also a quiet fear — will he ever be the same again?

City’s season continues to roll on. Without Kovačić, Pep Guardiola must now reshuffle his midfield again. The manager might turn to players like Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, or even young Oscar Bobb to fill the gap. But Guardiola knows better than anyone that experience and calm cannot be taught overnight. Kovačić’s ability to control a game, to slow it down when City need to breathe, is something few others can replicate.

When you watch City play, you see their perfection, but behind that perfection are fragile human stories like this — the pain, the recovery, the endless fight to stay fit in a game that never stops. For Kovačić, this injury is not just another medical report; it’s another test of faith, another reminder that even the best bodies break under pressure.

Back in Croatia, fans are following his recovery closely. For them, Kovačić is more than a footballer; he’s a symbol of quiet endurance. From his early days in Zagreb to lifting Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, he has always carried himself with dignity. And now, even in pain, that same calmness defines him.

As he prepares for surgery again, Kovačić has only one thought — to return stronger, to play again, to feel the grass beneath his boots without pain. His doctors say this second operation should fully fix the problem, but football is never predictable. Recovery can be long, setbacks can come, but if there’s one thing everyone knows about Kovačić, it’s that he doesn’t give up.

In Guardiola’s office, there’s a quiet hope that when spring arrives, when the title race reaches its final stretch, the Croatian will walk back onto the training pitch, smiling again. And when that happens, it will feel like a new signing — a reminder that even after months of darkness, football always finds a way to bring light back.

For now, the fans wait. Manchester City continue their fight in all competitions. Guardiola keeps adjusting, finding ways to win without one of his key men. But in the background, in a quiet London hospital room, a man who has won everything is preparing to start again from zero.

Because football isn’t only about trophies and goals — it’s about resilience. And few embody that word better than Mateo Kovačić, the quiet Croatian warrior who refuses to let pain define him.

He will miss the rest of 2025’s winter months. He will watch his teammates from the stands. But he will also dream, plan, and fight. And when February or March finally comes, when his name appears again on the team sheet, the Etihad will rise to its feet.

Because they know — behind every comeback, there’s a story of courage. And this one belongs to Mateo Kovačić.