Fifth trophy in a remarkable year an ‘outstanding achievement’ for Manchester City
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Manchester City players celebrate after winning the Club World Cup against Brazilian side Fluminense.
PHOTO: REUTERS
JEDDAH – From English Premier League champions to European champions and now world champions, Manchester City added a fifth trophy in 2023 to their bulging collection when they beat Fluminense 4-0 in the Club World Cup final
It capped their remarkable year.
City are the first English club to simultaneously hold the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup crowns – which their delighted manager Pep Guardiola hailed as an “outstanding achievement”.
“I am so proud of this club. What we have done is an outstanding achievement,” he said.
“To win this trophy is to be the best team in the world. As a manager it is what I am most proud of, that we are always there. No matter how much we win, no matter what trophies we lift, we are there again to fight for the next one.”
Julian Alvarez netted a brace and City never let their Brazilian opponents find their groove, with the other two goals coming from a Nino own goal and Phil Foden.
What appeared to be a serious knee injury to Rodri was the one damper on an otherwise festive night for City, whose players exchanged huge hugs on the pitch after the victory.
City's season was already outstanding when they completed the treble by beating Inter Milan in the Champions League final in June, but they have since added two trophies in the Super Cup and Club World Cup.
“To win the treble was truly special, but to win two more trophies and now hold these five major titles shows the unique mentality of this team, of the club and its fans,” Guardiola added.
“It is something no other English team has ever achieved and we will always remember this incredible time we spent.”
Guardiola is the first manager to win the Club World Cup with three teams, guiding Barcelona to victory in 2009 and 2011, and Bayern Munich in 2013. It was also his 16th trophy as City boss, and the 37th of his coaching career.
City players will have a “World Champions 2023” badge embroidered on their shirts for their next Premier League match on Dec 27 at Everton, the club said in a statement. A banner has already been raised at Etihad Stadium.
“We’ve shown over the past 12 months we are the best team in the world,” City defender Kyle Walker said. “Our results prove that and the consistency we have managed has been amazing.”
City’s victory continued the domination by European sides of a tournament that has ceased to be competitive.
Not since Corinthians beat Chelsea in 2012 have the Champions League winners failed to follow up that triumph by becoming world champions.
City’s win over Fluminense was Europe’s 16th in 17 editions.
Despite the lopside match-up, Fluminense boss Fernando Diniz, who is also the interim Brazil coach, stuck by his promise to stay loyal to an attacking brand of football.
But he also acknowledged the huge task facing clubs from around the globe when coming up against the financial might of Europe’s elite teams at the Club World Cup.
“Money makes a lot of things easier,” he said.
“With money you can have the best pitches, structures, players and you put together everything you have.
“In terms of the cash flow of the clubs, this is really different for our clubs compared to the Champions League.”
City now turn their attention back to the Premier League, where they have been anything but consistent. Guardiola’s team have only one win in their last five games.
A serious injury to Rodri would be a big blow for City, who are already without league-leading scorer Erling Haaland due to a nagging foot injury. REUTERS, AFP
