Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to two soon-to-be former players after his side’s 1-0 FA Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. Bernardo Silva and John Stones both played their final competitive matches for the club before confirmed departures this summer. Guardiola called them two of the most important players he’s worked with during his time in England, speaking in the mixed zone after the final whistle. “They will stay forever in our hearts,” he told reporters. “This club has been their home, and they’ve given everything for us. We’ll miss them, but we wish them the best.” Stones, 30, has agreed to join Barcelona while Silva, 29, is headed to Real Madrid. Both contracts expire this month, triggering free transfers. The 1-0 scoreline came from a second-half penalty by Rodri after Cole Palmer was fouled by Axel Disasi in the box. It was City’s second FA Cup in three years and their fourth in seven seasons under Guardiola. The win capped a domestic double after they already secured the Premier League title in May. Chelsea, meanwhile, failed to lift a trophy under new boss Enzo Maresca in his first season in charge. The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League and lost the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool earlier this season. This was also the final game for Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who is set to leave Stamford Bridge after his contract expires. The FA Cup final marked the end of this season’s domestic cup run for both sides. City now turn their focus to Champions League glory next month, with a semi-final against Real Madrid looming. Silva and Stones will be remembered for their consistency and leadership during City’s dominance in England. Stones arrived in 2016 from Everton for £47.5 million and became a key part of the club’s defensive spine under Guardiola. Silva joined from Monaco in 2017 for £43.5 million and has been a creative force in midfield and attack for six seasons. Their departures leave big shoes to fill, but Guardiola insists the club will move forward. “We have to rebuild, but we always do,” he said. “The next players will come and the cycle continues.” The next chapter for Man City starts in midweek with the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC Sport
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 18:07 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #bbc · #sports · #football · #guardiola · #silva · #stones-pep-guardiola

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O sonho inglês de Pep Guardiola está chegando ao fim, e o técnico do Manchester City despediu-se emocionado dos seus pilares defensivos, Bernardo Silva e John Stones, após a vitória por 1 a 0 na final da FA Cup sobre o Chelsea. Em um momento simbólico, Guardiola destacou a importância dos dois jogadores na campanha vitoriosa, marcando o início de um ciclo de transição no clube.

A despedida de Bernardo Silva e John Stones do Manchester City não é apenas mais um capítulo na folha corrida de uma temporada, mas um marco para o futebol inglês e brasileiro. Silva, ídolo da Seleção Portuguesa e ex-jogador do Benfica, foi peça fundamental na campanha do City, enquanto Stones, com sua versatilidade defensiva, consolidou-se como um dos melhores zagueiros da Premier League. Para os torcedores brasileiros, a partida de dois jogadores que brilharam na Inglaterra serve como lembrete da constante circulação de talentos sul-americanos no futebol europeu, além de abrir espaço para novas revelações no plantel do City.

Com o fim da temporada, as especulações sobre o futuro de Silva e Stones ganham força, enquanto o Manchester City já começa a mirar no próximo ciclo, com possíveis reforços para substituir a saída de seus destaques.