Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovačić is facing an extended spell out of action, with reports from his native Croatia suggesting the 31-year-old could undergo surgery in the upcoming off-season to address a long-standing heel issue.
According to Sportske Novosti, the Croatian international has been managing a “chronic problem” with his heel bone throughout the campaign – a condition that has both limited his involvement under Pep Guardiola and caused discomfort when he has featured.
With the domestic season drawing to a close next week, Kovačić is understood to be weighing up the option of surgery in a bid to resolve the issue once and for all. While the procedure would rule him out of Croatia’s next international fixtures and Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States, it could offer a long-term solution to the persistent injury.
The recovery timeframe post-operation is believed to be in the region of two to three months, which would see Kovačić return in time for the start of the 2025/26 season – a timeline that City’s medical staff are likely to view as favourable, given the midfielder’s ongoing fitness struggles.
Guardiola has already had to manage without the experienced playmaker on multiple occasions this term, and while the loss would be keenly felt in the short term, both club and player may see the summer break as an ideal window to tackle the issue head-on.