One moment on a famous night against Real Madrid perfectly sums up three Manchester City legends | OneFootball

Today will see Pep Guardiola, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva say goodbye to Manchester City. City take on Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium in their final Premier League fixture of the 2025-26 season. The result of today’s match is almost irrelevant. Events at the Etihad Stadium will be about saying goodbye to three people who have helped establish City as the dominant force in English football over the past decade.

When looking back, there have been a plethora of special moments that Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones have shared together on the pitch. One moment stands out as the perfect encapsulation of the trio and what they did for Manchester City, and it came on one of the most famous nights in Manchester City’s history.

A glimpse into the genius of Pep Guardiola, Bernardo Silva and John Stones came as Manchester City thumped Real Madrid 4-0 in 2022-23.

As Manchester City claimed the treble during the 2022-23 season, there were a host of significant moments that led to that historic achievement. One of those came in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie Manchester City faced against Real Madrid. Entering the match, the tie was level at 1-1 after the first leg at the Bernabeu. City had clicked at the time and entered the match at the Etihad Stadium, poised for the match. City won the game 4-0 in what was arguably the best City performance under Pep Guardiola as Manchester City manager. Also, the first goal stands out as a moment in time, showcasing the greatness of Pep Guardiola, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva.

Manchester City took the lead against Real Madrid in the 23rd minute of that famous night. The goal was the perfect encapsulation of the genius of Pep Guardiola. It also showed what John Stones and Bernardo Silva added to City in their prime.

Rodri received the ball in midfield. He played a cross field pass to the right wing to Bernardo Silva which unbalanced the Real Madrid defence. Bernardo held the ball and picked out a run made by John Stones into the Real Madrid area. Stones held the ball, which drew two Real Madrid defenders to him. It also created space in behind him. From there, Stones played a ball back to Kyle Walker on the right. Walker picked out Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the Real Madrid area. De Bruyne played a beautiful ball to Bernardo Silva who had drifted into the space that John Stones had created. Bernardo beat Thibaut Courtois at his near post to give City a 1-0 lead.

That one goal was a special moment and showed the greatness of three City legends.

As Pep Guardiola, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva say goodbye to Manchester City today, they leave having provided City fans with a lifetime of memories. They were key pillars of a City side that has achieved a level of dominance and a list of accolades that likely never will be achieved again.

It is hard to find one moment that perfectly illustrates the brilliance of Guardiola, Bernardo, and Stones. The first goal against Real Madrid in a 4-0 win that laid the foundation for the Treble may well be it. Pep Guardiola’s philosophy was on full display as City picked Real Madrid apart. John Stones drifted forward from centre-back in the role that defines him as a player. Bernardo Silva created havoc and finished a move that featured three other City legends in De Bruyne, Rodri, and Kyle Walker.

It was a beautiful move and goal that came from the mind of Pep Guardiola. The fact that John Stones and Bernardo Silva played such a pivotal role in the goal is fitting to look back upon, especially today as all three say goodbye to Manchester City.