How every single Manchester City player performed on international duty in September 2024 | OneFootball

Following an eventful summer when members of Manchester City’s senior men’s team participated at the European Championships and Copa América, the international break returned once again.

In September, many of City’s European contingent partook in the UEFA Nations League, whilst a limited South American contingent – following the exit of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer – participated in 2026 World Cup qualification matches.

Europe

In the UEFA Nations League, 15 members of Manchester City’s senior men’s team were involved in numerous matches bringing about varying levels of success and fortune, as well as a major injury concern for Pep Guardiola and coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium.

In League A Group 1, Portugal and Croatia faced eachother on the opening matchday of the 2024/25 campaign, as Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva faced club teammates Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol.

It was Portugal who defeated Croatia, before also going on to defeat Scotland on Matchday 2 to sit top of their group. Meanwhile, after their defeat to Portugal, the Croatians beat Poland to take second place in their group before the next bulk of fixtures.

In League A Group 2, Belgium began their Nations League campaign by defeating Israel on Matchday 1 before losing to France. Kevin De Bruyne scored two of Belgium’s three goals against Israel, and whilst not on the scoresheet, Jérémy Doku also participated in the matches providing one assist in the process.

Meanwhile, in League A Group 3, Nathan Aké and the Netherlands faced Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Germany. The Dutch earned a convincing 5-2 victory against the Bosnians, but then drew to the Germans.

The headlines were unfortunately not about results for Ake, with the versatile City defender sustaining a serious muscle injury at the end of the first-half against Germany. The Dutchman was forced off via a stretcher, and an update is likely to arrive by Friday afternoon.

Finally, in League A Group 4, Rodri and Spain faced Serbia and Switzerland, earning a draw on matchday 1 against the former. Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji and Switzerland faced Denmark, where they were defeated.

Then, on Matchday 2, Rodri took on his Manchester City teammate Akanji in a contest that ended 4-1 in Spain’s favour, finding themselves second in the group while the Swiss are currently bottom.

Away from League A and Manchester City also had members of their senior men’s squad competing in League B. In Group 2, John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Rico Lewis participated in England’s matches.

Facing the Republic of Ireland in their opening match, a 0-2 win was recorded in Dublin complimented by a Grealish strike at the Aviva Stadium. The English then defeated Finland on Matchday 2, with Rico Lewis earning his first senior national team start at Wembley Stadium.

In League B Group 3, Erling Haaland competed with Norway in a drab 0-0 draw against Kazakhstan before earning victory by overcoming Austria thanks to a winning goal from the Manchester City striker.

As for Manchester City’s younger first-team players, James McAtee was a leading light for England’s U20 squad, starring particularly in an international friendly meeting with Austria at Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road.

McAtee would also feature in an U21 EURO Qualification meeting against Northern Ireland U21, in a contest that would end in a 0-0 draw.

Nico O’Reilly and Jacob Wright also featured for England’s U20 squad during the international break.

South America

Outside of Europe and Ederson was the only South American player to be called up for international duty from Manchester City’s squad for meetings for Brazil against Ecuador and Paraguay.

The Manchester City goalkeeper did not feature in either of the contests, with Pep Guardiola boosted by the fact that his number one choice will return to the Etihad Stadium healthy ahead of a crunch run of fixtures.

As for the rest of the Manchester City squad, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Kyle Walker, Matheus Nunes, and Savinho (injured) were not selected by their national teams for international duty over the last two weeks.

Scott Carson and İlkay Gündoğan have retired from international football, whilst Phil Foden did not travel due to an illness, despite being originally selected for action.