Pep Guardiola stunned as Fernandinho announces Man City exit ahead of Atletico showdown

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will “play for Fernandinho” against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday after the midfielder caused a shock in his prematch news conference by announcing his decision to leave the club.

Fernandinho, 36, told reporters on Tuesday he will not be extending his contract at the Etihad Stadium and plans to leave the club and return to Brazil in the summer. Asked moments later about the revelation, Guardiola said he had no idea about his captain’s decision but said the team will be doing everything in Madrid to take another step towards the Champions League final in Paris in May and give Fernandinho a fitting send-off.

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“Oh,” Guardiola said after being told about Fernandinho’s decision. “I didn’t know it. You gave me the news. I didn’t know it.

“He’s so important for me, but I will talk to him. Maybe [director of football] Txiki [Begiristain] knows it and didn’t tell me. It’s a surprise for me — I didn’t know it.

“We are going to play tomorrow for him. We are going to try to play tomorrow for him and give him the best farewell moment, reaching again the semifinals of the Champions League then after try to go through again.”

Speaking earlier at a news conference at the City Football Academy, Fernandinho was asked about his future after nearly 10 years in Manchester. He has been restricted to 23 appearances in all competitions this season and asked whether he would like to sign a new deal at the Etihad, replied: “I don’t think so. I want to play. I will go back to Brazil. I decided with my family, which is the most important thing for me.”

Later on Tuesday, Fernandinho tweeted: “I was 100% honest and spontaneous in answering that question at today’s press conference. But anyone who knows me also knows that my greatest honesty is with Man City and my duties as team captain.”

I was 100% honest and spontaneous in answering…