⚽ City Crash Out of Club World Cup After Shock Loss to Al-Hilal
Manchester City’s journey at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has ended earlier than expected following a surprise defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal in the last 16. After a promising group stage, the Premier League champions are flying home empty-handed—at least in terms of silverware.
“We were in a good place. The vibe was really good,” said Pep Guardiola, reflecting on the loss. “Now it’s time to rest.”
🔍 What Did Guardiola Learn from the Trip?
The Club World Cup was meant to offer a morale boost, but it also exposed glaring weaknesses in City’s evolving squad:
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Tijjani Reijnders, the new Dutch midfielder, impressed with energy and work rate.
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Rayan Cherki, the French youngster from Lyon, scored in the group stage and assisted Phil Foden‘s goal versus Al-Hilal.
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However, Rayan Ait-Nouri’s defensive vulnerabilities were clear, despite his offensive flair.
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Matheus Nunes, deployed awkwardly at right-back, struggled against better opposition—highlighting the need for a true right-sided defender.
The absence of John Stones throughout the tournament and the premature substitution of Rodri raised fresh doubts about fitness and form heading into next season.
💸 What Did Manchester City Earn?
Despite their early exit, City still pocketed around £37.8 million from the tournament:
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£27.9m as a participation fee
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£4.5m from three group-stage wins (approx. £1.5m each)
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Missed opportunity: £63m in potential bonus earnings had they progressed and won the trophy
While the trophy slipped away, some transfers already appear justified:
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Ait-Nouri (£31m) got on the scoresheet against Juventus.
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Cherki (£30.5m) netted in the 6-0 win over Al Ain.
🏃♂️ Fatigue & Fixture Overload: Time for a Reset
City played 61 matches across the 2024–25 season—matching their busiest season under Guardiola. Only three European clubs played more in that timeframe. Chelsea, still in the competition, will soon surpass that tally.
Key players like Foden, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, and Gundogan (now retired from international duty) have each played 100+ games over the past two seasons. Add Euro 2024 duties, and burnout becomes a real concern.
City conceded 78 goals this season—32 more than their Treble-winning 2022–23 campaign—making it their worst defensive showing under Guardiola.
🛫 What’s Next for City?
City’s players will now enjoy a four-week break before pre-season preparations begin.
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Their next competitive fixture is a Premier League opener against Wolves on August 16, 17:30 BST.
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Friendly match plans remain under wraps, though local fixtures or a short European camp are possible.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cew00782yw2o
