Pep Guardiola questions City absence in Fifa shortlist

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he can’t understand why not one of his players made the shortlist for the 2019 Best Fifa Men’s Player award.

Despite pipping Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, Reds’ trio Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah all made the 10-man shortlist. Harry Kane, Eden Hazard, Frenkie do Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were also nominated for the award.

Along with the Premier League title, City also managed to win the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community Shield last term but still no individuals were nominated for the award.

Former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola has been bemused about the lack of recognition for his players as they prepare to defend their Premier League crown this term.

“Maybe we have to win five or six or get 250 points to be considered next season,” said Guardiola.

“I don’t think there is one player who had a better season than Bernardo Silva last season, even winning [the Nations League] with Portugal.

“These awards are normally when you win the Champions League. We were in the last stages and the other competitions do not count, are not important.”

Six City stars were included in the 2018-19 PFA Team of the Year, with keeper Ederson, defender Aymeric Laporte, midfielders Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva and forwards Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero all making the cut.