Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury and is expected to be out for around three months.
City confirmed the Croatian’s operation this morning, adding that he will spend the summer recovering.
The injury rules him out of the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States. City begin their Group G campaign against Wydad AC on June 18. They will also face Al Ain and Juventus in the group stage.
The 31-year-old also missed last month’s FA Cup final due to the problem, as Crystal Palace defeated City 1-0 to win their first major trophy.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic revealed that the midfielder had been dealing with discomfort for some time and eventually agreed with City’s medical staff to undergo surgery.
“Pain and swelling appeared in his heel tendon,” Dalic said. “He thought rest would help, but it didn’t. He’s now expected to be sidelined for about three months.”
The midfielder is not part of the Croatia squad for June’s World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and Czechia.
Kovacic bagged seven goals and three assists in 42 appearances in all competitions last season.
His most productive spell came in April, when he scored in back-to-back Premier League matches against Palace and Everton.
Signed from Chelsea in 2023 for an initial £25 million, he has featured 88 times for Man City and became a key figure during Rodri’s extended injury absence.
His setback means he is also expected to miss pre-season and the opening weeks of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. A September return is the target.
Kovacic’s absence leaves Pep Guardiola short in central midfield, especially with Kevin De Bruyne set to depart this summer and Kalvin Phillips also sidelined with a similar injury.
Rodri has returned to fitness and is likely to anchor midfield during the Club World Cup, supported by Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
City are also closing in on a €70 million deal for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, who could join the squad before they head to America.
Meanwhile, academy product Jacob Wright has left permanently for Norwich City, and James McAtee will miss the Club World Cup after being called up to England’s Under-21 squad.
