We have given everything, says Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has thanked his players and staff for their effort during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

City exited the tournament at the Round of 16 stage with a 4-3 extra-time defeat to Al-Hilal in Orlando.

Guardiola saw his side dominate the early exchanges of the tie at the Camping World Stadium, with Bernardo Silva giving us the lead just nine minutes in.

Al-Hilal overturned the score with two goals in the first seven minutes of the second half before Erling Haaland’s equaliser took the game to extra time.

The Saudi side then scored twice either side of Phil Foden’s 100th City goal.

While obviously disappointed, Guardiola used his post-match press conference to highlight the commitment shown by his players and staff since arriving in the US.

“At this stage, they are all difficult games,” he began.

“We allowed them to create transitions but we created a lot and in general we were good.

“It’s a pity. We were in such a good place and I cannot say thank you enough to the staff, how they train and prepare, they have given everything.

“We made a lot of actions and Bounou made incredible saves. Nothing else to say.

“I have the feeling that the team is doing well but we go home and now time to rest and refresh our mind and come back next season.”

The Club’s players and coaches will now take a break before returning to the City Football Academy ahead of the 2025/26 domestic season.

Looking ahead to that challenge, Guardiola says there have been some positive signs from our four matches in this new-look tournament.

“I saw many good things that I didn’t see in the past, especially how we were, the relations between the players and the staff.

“I felt we were happy here and the sessions were really good but the levels here are so high.

“The chances we had, they defended so deep and Bounou made a lot of saves but you have to score and be so clinical.”