Pep Guardiola counters Kevin De Bruyne Club World Cup snub as Aston Villa and Inter Miami hold talks | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has addressed recent reports claiming Kevin De Bruyne has no intention of representing Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup at the United States after being told he has no future at the Etihad Stadium.

De Bruyne will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decorated, trophy-laden decade in sky blue that has put him up there with the Premier League’s best-ever imports and amongst the greatest midfielders to have played in England.

The 33-year-old was hopeful of a new deal to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium but club bosses – including incoming sporting director Hugo Viana – relayed to the Belgium international that he does not feature in the club’s plans next season.

Since his announcement confirming his impending departure earlier this month, De Bruyne has revealed in interviews he was left disappointed with the club’s decision, admitting he was away from his family when Manchester City officials relayed their stance to the playmaker.

City are due to participate in the 32-club FIFA Club World Cup in the United States between June and July – between the end of their Premier League and FA Cup campaign(s) and the beginning of pre-season preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.

It emerged last week that De Bruyne has informed club bosses and Guardiola of his reluctance to travel with City to the United States for the Club World Cup amid fears of injury and a desire to take some time off to rest, recover and assess offers to make a decision on his future with his family.

After refusing to take questions on De Bruyne’s future initially whilst speaking to the press ahead of Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final triumph over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, Guardiola was asked if there was any truth to De Bruyne’s hesitation to play at the Club World Cup.

“I don’t know any info about that,” said Guardiola, who kept De Bruyne on the bench for the entirety of Manchester City’s 2-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Forest at Wembley on Sunday, with the Belgian expected to return to the lineup against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday.