Crucial Manchester City star reveals groin issue on international duty, Pep will be watching closely

Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Bernardo Silva and his admiration has only been growing recently.

The Manchester City manager recently said that for a period it had been a case of the Portuguese international and ten more when team selection was considered.

This quote made its way to Portugal, where they were obviously proud that such a respected manager felt that way. Given Cristiano Ronaldo is skipping the international break, in Portugal it also became Bernardo and ten more.

But now there’s a little worry.

Portugal drew 1-1 with Croatia on Thursday evening, and the Manchester City player came off at half time. According to the man himself there was a reason for that, worry over a potential injury.

Quoted by Portuguese newspaper Record, Bernardo explained: “I came off at half time because I have been having a little discomfort in the groin area, and with Mr. Fernando Santos we thought it was better not to risk the second half.”

The Croatia match was just a friendly, so Guardiola and his City management team may wonder why Bernardo was risked at all. Portugal now face Italy on September 10th in the UEFA Nations League, and there’ll be concerned eyes watching from Manchester.