Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has been welcomed back to training by teammate Jack Grealish in brutal fashion, with a statement issued on Instagram this week.
Pep Guardiola now has a much stronger first-team squad at his disposal compared to the 27-man initial squad list that travelled to the United States for pre-season last month, with the majority of the club’s European Championship starring athletes reporting back for duty.
Manchester City were keen to ensure that, after a long season, the players who progressed into the knock-out stage of the Euros in Germany received an extended summer break, preparing them for another long road ahead across multiple competitions this time around.
As such, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes, and Jeremy Doku reported back for pre-season fitness testing and first-team training from Tuesday, linking up with those who had travelled to the US for the commercial jaunt.
But one returning star has already been on the brunt of the jokes from a close friend and Manchester City teammate, with their defeat in a training ground match publicised in brutal fashion on social media.
Writing on an Instagram story upload following Manchester City’s first training session back at the City Football Academy this week after the pre-season tour of the United States, Jack Grealish was keen to issue a special welcome to Bernardo Silva.
“It was a great day today seeing all the lads again, but nothing is better than beating Bernardo Silva in training. Unlucky pal, nice to have you back,” the Manchester City forward wrote in a brutal message to the Portuguese midfielder.
Jack Grealish was among the players to have travelled to the United States last month, providing a goal across the four matches Stateside as part of a 2-2 draw with FC Barcelona, that resulted in a penalty shoot-out defeat to the La Liga side.
As for Bernardo Silva, he was joined by his Portuguese teammates in Joao Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, and Ruben Dias returning to the City Football Academy on Tuesday, despite the club future of the former remaining largely uncertain.
Barcelona retain a strong interest in renewing their agreement with the full-back for the 2024/25 season, but financial struggles at the Catalan club may force them into only pursuing a temporary deal with Manchester City – who would prefer a permanent exit.