It hasn’t been a smooth ride for Pep Guardiola at the Club World Cup—and he’s not holding back his frustration.
Between a controversial red card decision and a heartbreaking injury to one of Manchester City’s rising stars, the City boss has made it clear he’s got more than a few concerns.
Guardiola Slams FIFA Over Rico Lewis’ Extended Suspension
Pep Guardiola is furious after FIFA decided to extend Rico Lewis’ red card ban to three matches.
The young defender was shown red in City’s tournament opener against Wydad AC, after catching Samuel Obeng on the chin with what looked like an accidental contact during a sliding challenge.
City still won 2-0, but Lewis’ punishment didn’t stop there.
City appealed the decision, but FIFA stood firm.
Speaking about it, Pep didn’t hide his irritation.
“I don’t even know the referee boss—Collina, right? I’ve never spoken to him,” he said.
“Rico didn’t mean to hurt anyone. But I guess FIFA wanted to make a point.”
With the extended ban, Lewis will miss City’s next two matches—against Juventus and their round of 16 tie—before being eligible again for the quarter-finals.
He’s already served one game while City thrashed Al Ain 6-0.
Pep Calls the Ban Unfair: “It’s Not in Rico’s Nature”
Guardiola defended Lewis, saying the 19-year-old had no malicious intent.
“If it had been another type of player, maybe things would be different,” Pep remarked. “It’s Rico Lewis.
He’s not aggressive like that. He’s a good kid.”
The City manager even joked that the young player could take the time off to relax:
“Let him spend time with his girlfriend and hopefully come back fresh if we go through.”
Claudio Echeverri Suffers Injury Setback at the Worst Time
As if the red card controversy wasn’t enough, Guardiola also confirmed bad news on the injury front.
Midfielder Claudio Echeverri will likely miss the rest of the tournament after injuring his ankle during the win over Al Ain.
The 19-year-old, who had just scored a stunning free-kick in that match, had to be substituted at half-time.
He left the pitch in visible discomfort and now requires a protective boot.
“It’s the ankle—he’ll be out for two or three weeks, unfortunately,” Guardiola shared. “I feel so sorry for him.”
Heat, Rotations, and Tactical Tweaks Ahead
The extreme conditions in the Club World Cup have also forced Pep to rethink his team selection.
“These games are tough. Players can’t handle 90 minutes in this heat,” he said.
“We’ll keep rotating, especially in the second half.”
Guardiola praised the Atlanta stadium where the matches are being held but made it clear that every team is struggling with the climate.
“We all have to deal with it,” he said.
“And for the next World Cup—everyone should already know what’s coming. We need to be prepared to suffer.”
Echeverri’s Goal Sparks Zidane Comparisons
Echeverri, who joined City from River Plate in January 2024 for £12.5 million (though remained on loan with the Argentine club until recently), had shown flashes of brilliance before the injury.
His free-kick goal—only his third appearance for City—drew comparisons to Zinedine Zidane’s classic strike against England at Euro 2004.
Now, his promising tournament is cut short just as it was beginning to spark excitement.
Looking Ahead: Eyes on Recovery and the Knockouts
With Lewis suspended and Echeverri sidelined, Guardiola will need to dig deep into his squad for the upcoming matches.
City have already qualified from their group, but with the knockout stages looming, every selection decision will count.
The final of the Club World Cup takes place on July 13—and if City want to be there, they’ll have to overcome more than just their opponents.