Injured Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic posted an update for his supporters on his social media this week.
The Croatia international has endured a difficult time on the sidelines following surgery for a long-term foot and ankle problem, with recurring problems preventing him from developing his pace this season.
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His absence has been felt in Pep Guardiola’s midfield rotation, particularly during a congested winter period in which Manchester City were forced to rely heavily on new players and tactical reshuffles.
Mateo Kovacic has been undergoing an intensive rehabilitation program since undergoing his latest procedure, splitting his time between specialist treatment and remote conditioning work.
City officials have remained cautious about offering firm deadlines, but recent indications and reports suggest a months-long layoff is expected in an effort to fully resolve the issue. The midfielder’s recovery has also attracted the attention of fans and national team staff, with Croatia closely monitoring his situation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Now, uploading a new photo to his social media this week, Mateo Kovacic has revealed that he has returned to the club’s City Football Academy training center to continue his recovery process with City’s medical professionals.
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“Happy to be back at the club camp,” Kovacic wrote on his social media alongside a photo of himself smiling from the club facilities.
Kovacic’s Croatian international teammate Josko Gvardiol told reporters this week at a press conference about the midfielder: “He’s doing well, I think he’s coming back to the training pitch today (Monday), I can’t wait to see him!
“Mentally he is strong, he has accepted (the injury) very well. Of course we will miss him, I guess maybe three or four months (of absence), I don’t know – it’s hard to say.
“But I guess the most important thing is that he recovers well and then prepares for the end of the season and next season as well.”
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Kovacic’s update will provide a welcome boost to City fans who have been waiting for positive news on his condition. Even if the return to competition is still far away, his return to the CFA marks the start of a more intense rehabilitation phase.
For Pep Guardiola, the coming months will require careful team management as City continue to compete on multiple fronts without the experienced midfielder. If his recovery progresses as expected, Kovacic could make himself available for the closing stages and business end of the campaign.
Longer term, club and country will hope that this latest operation will finally resolve the recurring problem, allowing Mateo Kovacic to start the 2026/27 campaign in top form and re-establish his midfield role after a physically difficult year.
