Rico Lewis feels fury of Pep Guardiola and two teammates in Man City’s Club World Cup final win

The moments missed as Manchester City became FIFA Club World Cup champions by beating Fluminense.

Manchester City are World Champions after swatting aside Fluminense in Jeddah on Friday.

City were too good for the South American champions – who admittedly tested the Blues with their fearless high press and counter-attacking threats. But after conceding 40 seconds in was always going to give the Brazilians an uphill battle, with two goals either side of half time lifting City to their highest-ever moment: champions of the world.

It wasn’t all straightforward, though. A potential injury to Rodri marred the win, while Rico Lewis was replaced after a nightmare two minutes in the second half in the biggest game of his career. City will return to the Premier League to face Everton next week, where they will hope to have Rodri fit, but also injured trio Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

Teammates’ furious reaction to Lewis
It’s been a ridiculous 18 months for Rico Lewis. At the end of the 2021/22 season he only had a handful of under-21 appearances before he was a surprise inclusion on City’s pre-season tour, where he impressed Guardiola, hit the post against Bayern Munich, and earned a first-team place for the season. He transformed City’s tactics and mentality, and ended his first senior campaign a treble winner. Fast forward into this season, and he’s made his England debut, is trusted in midfield, and now he’s started a Club World Cup final.

Lewis’ selection raised eyebrows, especially after Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes impressed vs Urawa, but it also made sense. Fluminense’s high press and ‘anti-positional’ system meant that Lewis’ versatility was a useful weapon, as he is far more adept at changing positions and tactics mid-game. He lined up in midfield and looked busy in the biggest game of his City career so far. At one point, he instinctively replaced Kyle Walker at right-back after the captain ventured forward and lost possession, conceding a counter-attack.

But despite that, Guardiola doesn’t bring sentiment into his decision-making, and was quick to replace Lewis after a nightmare two minutes. First he gave the ball away cheaply, and then conducted the ultimate sin of turning his back to a ball from Phil Foden and letting it run past him, to Guardiola’s anger. City regained possession, but both Foden and Rodri were incensed at the youngster and let him know on the pitch. Two minutes later, and Lewis’ number was up. A brutal lesson on the night he became a world champion (although he was all smiles with Foden after the final as the academy graduates expanded their medal collections).

Rodri gives City hope as he collects Golden Ball
The only downside to City’s Club World Cup win will have been the sight of Rodri limping off under a heavy challenge, with his knee seemingly caught in the middle of a scissor challenge. Rodri tried to continue, but with Phil Foden sealing the win seconds after the restart, Pep Guardiola took no risks and hooked Rodri instantly out of safety. He shook his head as he took his seat, and fears of another key player picking up a troublesome injury were clear on the faces of City’s medical staff.

As City won the final, Rodri was on the pitch, seeming to walk freely and there wasn’t a huge limp as he collected the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament. However, he didn’t look completely free of pain when City were waiting on the steps to collect their trophy, and City will assess their pivotal midfielder ahead of the trip to Everton after Christmas.