Manchester City

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Defeat by Al-Hilal brings the curtain down on a gruelling and challenging season for Manchester City which began 325 days ago with the Community Shield against Manchester United on 10 August.

It's not gone quite to plan for manager Pep Guardiola, with City losing 17 games in all competitions, which is at least five more than in any other season since his appointment and the club's highest total since 2008-09.

While City have scored 130 goals in 61 fixtures, the defensive lapses exposed in their Club World Cup exit have become increasingly common.

They conceded 78 times this term, comfortably their worst record under Guardiola. That is 32 more than they shipped in the Treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, when they played the same number of matches.

With over £100m invested in new signings this summer, and an additional £140m spent in January, the eight-time Premier League champions will expect a substantial improvement next term.

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

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Manchester City earned about £37.8m for reaching the last 16 at the 2025 Club World Cup.

But their shock exit to Al-Hilal in the early hours of Tuesday means they miss out on potentially pocketing a further £53.7m in prize money, had Pep Guardiola's side won the tournament.

Of the money they won, City got about £4.4m for their three group-stage victories over Wydad, Al Ain and Juventus.

City were the only club at the competition to win all three group matches.

For reaching the last 16, they earned an additional £5.4m.

The remainder of their prize money comes from a participation fee. For European clubs, that is between £9.3m and £27.7m for taking part in the competition based on sporting and commercial criteria, with City earning the maximum available.

Winning the final alone is worth £29m, with £21.8m on offer for finishing as the runner-up.

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Manchester City's Club World Cup exit at the end of Saudi side Al-Hilal hurt "a little bit" like Champions League elimination, says Bernado Silva.

Pep Guardiola's side were beaten 4-3 after extra time in Orlando and now have more time to rest before the start of their Premier League campaign.

A run to the final would have prolonged their campaign until 13 July - just five weeks before the next season begins - but Silva refused to take positives from the result.

"No-one wanted to lose," he said post-match.

"We are very used to not having holidays, unfortunately, because the schedule is crazy and when we are in a competition we take it very seriously.

"We had a lot of ambition for this Club World Cup and we wanted to win it."

Asked if the defeat hurt as much as Champions League elimination, Silva added: "Yes, a little bit. Yes."

Silva opened the scoring against Al-Hilal but City did not lead the match again before Marcos Leonardo's winner eight minutes before the end of extra time.

"There was always a feeling of danger coming from them when they recovered the ball in transition and their counters," he said. "We allowed them to run way too many times.

"But apart from that we had chances. We scored three goals and we could have scored five or six.

"We were expecting another difficult game like Juventus and when you don't control transitions then good players, like Al-Hilal have, punish you. That's what happened."

On City's new Premier League season beginning at Wolves on 16 August, Silva added: "We will try to have as much rest as possible but also come back to prepare for the season properly."

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter in Orlando

Image source, Getty Images

The Club World Cup group stage had been plain sailing for Manchester City, winning all three games, but they fell at the first knockout hurdle following a haphazard defensive display.

Pep Guardiola's side were often opened up on the counter-attack and made to pay heavily for their sloppiness at both ends of the pitch - failing to take a host of first-half chances.

The result also ends Guardiola's flawless record at the Club World Cup as manager of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City.

The Spaniard had won all 11 of his previous matches at the tournament, conceding just four goals - but that total doubled in the space of 120 thrilling minutes in Orlando.

"It wasn't a fluke but really worrying signs," former City goalkeeper Shay Given said on Dazn.

"Al-HIlal could have scored even more. It is a real worry the chances they gave up."

For Guardiola, the task now is to sort out the issues they faced in Florida before the Premier League opener at Wolves on 16 August.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said it is now time to rest for the new Premier League season after his side were shocked 4-3 by Saudi Pro League Al-Hilal in the last 16 of the Club World Cup.

Guardiola said: "It is a pity. We have been on incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good.

"I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.

"But it was a difficult game. The margins were minimal. We created a lot and [Yassine] Bounou made incredible saves - but we were so open.

"We would have loved to have continued. It will only be once every four years, and we had a feeling that the team was doing well. But we go home and now it is time to rest - rest our minds for the new season.

"We regret a little bit that we allowed them to run a bit more. They defended so deep, the wingers were so quick and Bounou made a lot of saves.

"In the end, we have to score and be clinical. They arrived more in the transitions. They did not create much in the first half - we did, but could not finish it.

"I had a feeling we could go through but they punished us on the transitions."

Listen to more from Guardiola on BBC Sounds

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Holders Manchester City are out of the Club World Cup after a haphazard defensive display led to a 4-3 defeat by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the last 16.

What did you make of City's display and what are the talking points?

Come back to this page later on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Image source, Getty Images

Brazilian winger Kayky has completed a permanent move to Bahia from Manchester City, subject to international clearance.

The 22-year-old had spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at the Brazilian Serie A side, part of the City Football Group.

Kayky originally joined City from Fluminense in April 2021, arriving with a reputation as one of Brazil's most promising young talents, and made his debut for Pep Guardiola's side, as a late substitute in a 4-1 FA Cup win over Swindon Town.

He also made a brief Premier League appearance against Norwich City in a 4-0 away victory.

Subsequent loan spells followed at Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira and Bahia during the 2022-23 season before an anteriro cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of the entire next season.

After regaining fitness, Kayky joined Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam for the first half of the 20245 season, featuring seven times in all competitions, before returning to Bahia for the latter part of the campaign.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The 27-player travelling Manchester party have been allowed to let their hair down in the US - and even taskmaster Pep Guardiola has had a kickabout with his players on the beach.

The team have enjoyed other sports in their downtime, such as basketball and table tennis - though Bernardo Silva joked that the 30C heat has left star striker Erling Haaland "looking like a lobster".

"The end of the season was so demanding emotionally," Guardiola told BBC Sport. "It wasn't the best for consistency and results.

"I decided we would do good training but let the players relax for the rest of the day. If they want to play golf, [go in the] pool, day off or be with their families. Otherwise it would be so difficult mentally.

"It is fresh in the training sessions, not expending energy before the games because it would be so tough.

"Some went to their national teams and didn't have days off. It's maintaining [fitness] and relaxing. We have 11 months ahead of us and I decided for them to do whatever they want."

Before the tournament both the playing personnel and backroom staff were shaken up with four new signings, but they have seamlessly integrated into the set-up.

Rayan Ait-Nouri has already showcased his credentials at left-back, Rayan Cherki has scored his first goal for the club, while the energy Tijjani Reijnders will bring to the midfield is clear.

Jurgen Klopp's former right-hand man Pep Lijnders is settling in, too, as Guardiola's new assistant.

Defender Nathan Ake said the new additions had given everyone a "boost" and brought "a lot of energy", while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said there have been plenty of "jokes" and "banter" from them.

Forward Cherki is said to have shown the same enthusiasm, singing a French rap song during his initiation.

Read the full article here

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City and Chelsea are already quids in from playing in the Fifa Club World Cup - and they could yet end up earning loads more.

Some of their summer signings' transfer fees have even already been paid off.

With near-empty stadiums, extreme weather conditions and poor pitches dominating the news agenda during the group stages of the competition, it is easy to overlook just how much money clubs are earning as the tournament goes on.

If Manchester City win the tournament they would land about £92m in total - but Chelsea would earn slightly less.

Pep Guardiola's side have earned prize money of roughly £37.8m so far, with their last-16 tie against Al-Hilal still to come on Tuesday.

City bagged the most of any team during the group stage as the only side to win all three of their matches.

They paid £31m for Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who assisted a goal in their 5-2 win over Juventus, and that fee has already been paid off by their earnings - with an extra £7m or so.

The £30.5m City paid Lyon for forward Rayan Cherki, who scored in the 6-0 win over Al Ain, would also be covered by a run to the semi-finals.

And if they win the tournament, they would also have earned enough for about two-thirds of the £46.3m fee they paid AC Milan for Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

To put the total potential prize pot of £91.9m into context, only about 12 transfer fees in football history amount to more.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Camping World Stadium, Orlando

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola says he will be "happy to see" former Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo when his side face Al Hilal in the Club World Cup.

The Premier League side face the Saudi Pro League outfit in in the last-16 of the competition on Tuesday (kick-off 02:00 BST) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Portugal international Cancelo won three Premier League titles and the FA Cup with City, but after the 2022 World Cup, he lost his place in the side to Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake.

The 31-year-old was loaned out to Bayern Munich in the second half of the 2022-23 season and said in March, external he "deserved to play" but Guardiola felt "he didn't".

Speaking in the pre-match news conference in the United States, Guardiola said: "All the players who have been with us I have incredible memories of. Listen, I have an incredible respect for Joao, for everyone.

"It's always when you have to take a decision, it's not always easy. I know he had an incredible heart but he was just upset he didn't play, because he loves to play. In a training session, he just played. I said, 'OK the training is over'. He said, 'No, no, one more, one more'.

"Joao was the best full-back in the year when we won the quadruple. He was the best in Europe, the best in the Premier League. So he's exceptional.

"He can play right or left, use both legs without a problem. I'm happy to see him tomorrow."

Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig and Stuttgart are interested in Manchester City's 22-year-old England Under-21 midfielder James McAtee. (Times - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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With the knockouts about to begin, the Opta supercomputer, external has predicted who is now the favourite to win the Club World Cup and broken down every team's chances.

According to Opta's model, Paris St-Germain are the most likely victors but only by 0.2% with Manchester City, who have the tournament's only perfect record so far, just behind them.

PSG will face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the last 16, while Pep Guardiola's men will go up against Al-Hilal after both topping their groups.

Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Chelsea make up the rest of the top five, with the Premier League side having the most difficult route to the quarter-finals as they face Benfica in the next round.

Should both Chelsea and Manchester City keep winning, they will face each other in the semi-finals at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, 8 July.

Real Madrid are in sixth with just a 9.7% chance of securing the trophy.

Take a look below to see the full break down of every team's chances...

Image source, Opta

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England Under-21 captain James McAtee has "no regrets" choosing Euro 2025 over the Club World Cup.

The Manchester City midfielder has helped the Young Lions to Saturday's final against Germany in Bratislava.

He opted to go with Lee Carsley's side over City's Club World Cup campaign and will help England try to defend their title in Slovakia.

"It's a tough one to answer but I don't regret my decision at all. I'm happy I'm here and my focus is now tomorrow, it's not on the Club World Cup," he said on Friday when asked if reaching the final justified his decision.

"This would be a special occasion for me. I'm so excited to play tomorrow. It'll be a big achievement for me and my family.

"Some of the lads have played in some big games and I've not sensed any nerves, but I'm sure by tomorrow there will be some. Hopefully the lads do get it, so it means something to them."

McAtee scored in England's 3-1 quarter-final win over Spain, with the Young Lions also beating the Netherlands in Wednesday's semi-final.

The 22-year-old has also had messages of support from former City team-mate Liam Delap, who is playing for Chelsea in the Club World Cup.

He added: "I speak to Liam every day and he's happy for us. We're all happy for him, he's doing well. I've had a couple of messages from Taylor [Harwood-Bellis] so the lads back home are rooting for us and happy for us that we got here."

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Bernardo Silva says being handed the Manchester City captaincy is "probably one of the biggest honours" of his career.

The Portugal midfielder has taken over from the departed Kevin de Bruyne and will have been at City for a decade when his contract expires next summer

"I'm going to start my ninth season at the club," he said. "All that experience, I will try to pass to the younger guys. But leadership in a team is not about one guy. It's about each one of us being our own leader and helping the guy next to us in the dressing room.

"I will need that to help the team achieve a lot of things and hopefully win titles."

The 30-year-old played 75 minutes against Juventus in the Club World Cup on Thursday and said the 5-2 victory is 'a good sign for next season'.

"We've always been potential winners in all competitions that we play," he explained.

"Obviously it's just one game but we're happy that the performance was the way it was. It shows that we're improving, we're coming back to the levels and to the standards that we got people used to at this club. That's a good sign for next season.

"We had a very good performance against a tough team. They showed that in the past, they beat us last season. We wanted to prove that what happened last season will not happen this season."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Club World Cup game between Juventus and Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Franek: Oh, a lovely game to watch! Five-star. Bit of a sloppy way to score your 300th career goal, Erling Haaland, but every one of them counts. And, Savinho! Whew, that ball went faster than my eyes following it. Crossbar goals are always lovely ones! The pick of the bunch!

Kim: One of the best Manchester City performances I've seen in a while. Playing with so much freedom and energy, especially in the box. A refreshing change. Great win.

Sunny: City are definitely back after this display.

Earl: Man City played like the City of old - I think that we are on the way back.

Darren: To say City are back is a cliche. They are in transition and hopefully will get better, faster and more confident. This Club World Cup should help bond the team more than any friendly matches could.

Gerard: Good game, great performance. But Man City need to buy a young and dynamic goalkeeper this summer. Ederson is no longer 100 per cent reliable with those same mistakes since from last season. And we need a right-back as a permanent replacement for Kyle Walker.

Gene: Expected a much better game, but City dominated from the start bar the Ederson hiccup. Rayan Ait-Nouri is a solid player, Jeremy Doku continues to impress while Manuel Akanji and Luis Diaz played well together. Erling Haaland makes a difference up front as Omar Marmoush is an exciting player but isn't the big body in the middle. Overall, an impressive performance by the third different line-up of the tournament.

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola says the 5-2 victory over Juventus has been a long time coming after it earned his side Group G top spot in the Club World Cup on Thursday night.

"I liked the way we did it," Guardiola said. "It has been a long time since we had a performance like this on and off the ball. The players were committed and we are happy to beat a top side.

"This is just one game but I think the players felt again what it was like to be a good team. It's the first time we've performed the way we can.

"We won the last two but we adjusted a few things. I'm really pleased because the players realise what we have to do to get back to what we were in the last decade. The belief always comes from your performances, not your past."

On Rodri's first start since September: "Sooner or later, Rodri had to start. I said: 'OK, 45 minutes' but at half-time he said he wanted five to 10 minutes more. The game was under control.

"In the last few games, we have conceded a lot of transitions but it didn't happen this time. Everyone knows how important Rodri is. He is one of the best players in the world."

On Jack Grealish and his potential departure: "I wish him the best but I don't know what is going to happen."

What did you make of Man City's display and what are the talking points?

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies