Frank Christian
Following Rodri’s serious knee injury, speculation is rife regarding the impact on Manchester City and how long he will be out of action. Reports indicate that he has torn his ACL during a match against Arsenal and may miss a significant portion of the season.
On Monday, Fabrizio Romano shared that Rodri is currently in Barcelona consulting with Dr. Ramon Cugat to assess his injury and outline a treatment plan. Dr. Cugat is well-known among players managed by Guardiola for handling serious knee issues.
The Sporting News explores Dr. Cugat’s background, his connection with Guardiola, and the notable players he has treated over the years.
Who is Dr. Ramon Cugat?
Dr. Ramon Cugat, who was once a football hopeful at Barcelona, turned to medicine after his athletic career ended prematurely at 19. He graduated from the University of Barcelona in 1975 and completed a PhD in orthopedic and trauma surgery. After additional training at Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to Spain to establish the Spanish Arthroscopy Association and became a leading orthopedic surgeon for various sports teams, including at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Cugat’s ties with the football community grew stronger when he became affiliated with the Mutualitat Catalana de Futbolistes, which supports players requiring orthopedic care. He increased his visibility in football as he was expected to join FC Barcelona as a team doctor, following promises made during the 2020 elections.
Currently, he serves as the co-director of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery at Hospital Quironsalud in Barcelona.
Why is Dr. Cugat favored by Pep Guardiola?
Dr. Cugat crossed paths with Pep Guardiola after the latter suffered a significant knee injury in 1998. With encouragement from his wife, Dr. Cugat treated Guardiola, who later sought his help for an ankle injury in 2000. During this treatment, Dr. Cugat pioneered the use of collagen-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which have gained popularity among athletes but continue to face skepticism regarding their effectiveness and cost.
Guardiola’s trust in Dr. Cugat’s methods has led many of his players from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City to seek his treatment. However, not all cases have had positive outcomes. In one instance, Thiago Alcantara, under Guardiola at Bayern, encountered complications after opting for surgery with Dr. Cugat instead of the club’s medical staff, resulting in a prolonged recovery.
Who has Dr. Cugat treated?
Dr. Ramon Cugat has treated numerous players, particularly those with connections to Catalonia, largely through Pep Guardiola’s influence. Below is a list of notable current and former players he has operated on:
- Xavi
- Samuel Eto’o
- Andres Iniesta
- Fernando Torres
- David Villa
- Sergio Aguero
- Javi Martinez
- Thiago Alcantara
- Kevin de Bruyne
- Ilkay Gundogan
- Aymeric Laporte
- Callum Hudson-Odoi
