Ricardo Rodríguez Faces Medical Evaluation Ahead of FIFA International Fixtures

Ricardo Rodríguez has answered the call of the Swiss national team for the FIFA date in November, where he will undergo evaluation by the medical staff of his country’s squad. They will determine whether the Betis defender is fit to participate in either of the two matches that the Swiss team has scheduled in their effort to secure qualification for next summer’s World Cup.

The player was substituted at halftime during the match against Mallorca in LaLiga’s 11th round due to muscular discomfort. He was not included in the squad for the match against Olympique Lyon in the UEFA Europa League last week. Although Pellegrini indicated that Rodríguez was nearly recovered, he opted to rest him, preventing his travel to Valencia for the league match played yesterday, thereby mitigating any risk of a setback.

On Monday, Rodríguez traveled to the national team’s training camp, as they face Sweden on Saturday and then visit Kosovo three days later. Following their draw against Slovenia in the last round of this qualifying group, Murat Yakin’s team, with 10 points, has postponed their hopes of reaching what they expect to be their sixth consecutive World Cup since Germany 2006. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Betis defender will see any playing time during this FIFA window or if he will return to the pitch only when he rejoins his club.

Rodríguez’s muscular issues have coincided with a similar injury to Junior Firpo, with whom he competes for a spot in Pellegrini’s starting lineup. This dual absence has led the coach to reposition Valentín Gómez, a left-footed central defender, to left-back in recent matches. The left-back position is one that Betis intends to reinforce next summer, coinciding with the conclusion of the Swiss player’s contract with the verdiblancos.