Fernandinho admits it has been an honour to captain Man City to title

Fernandinho admits it has been an ‘honour and a privilege’ to captain Manchester City to the Premier League title – and insists his side will now focus on ‘bringing the Champions League home’ for supporters

  • Manchester City won their third Premier League title in four years on Tuesday
  • Championship sealed after rivals Manchester United were beaten by Leicester
  • This, though, is the first won by Fernandinho in the role of captain at the Etihad
  • The veteran midfielder is now looking to clinch the Champions League crown

Manchester City captain Fernandinho has paid tribute to his team-mates after his side sealed the Premier League title when Manchester United lost 2-1 at home to Leicester City.

‘I am so proud and so happy with what we have achieved,’ the 36-year-old Brazilian said. ‘The Premier League is the hardest league in world football — every single game is tough.

‘To win it again means the world to me and the rest of the squad. To captain this team is an honour and a privilege because the players have given their all throughout the season, whether in training or in matches. The teamwork has been amazing.

Fernandinho (top) has paid tribute to his Manchester City side’s Premier League title success

The midfielder (with trophy) has been key to helping City win the title three times in four years

‘Football is everything to us and we strive every single day to be as good as we can be in the hope we can bring success to Manchester City. Winning the Premier League title is the ultimate fulfilment of our ambitions. ‘It’s what we all dreamed of as young players, so to do it is a wonderful feeling.’

Fernandinho also paid tribute to the City supporters and promised his side will now turn all their efforts to winning the Champions League final when they face Chelsea on May 29.

‘We have missed the fans so much,’ Fernandinho said. ‘We wanted to do this for them. We will enjoy this moment and we hope the fans do too.

But this is the first time Fernandinho has landed success while being captain of the side

City supporters celebrate their club winning the Premier League after Man Utd’s defeat

‘Rest assured we will continue to do everything we can to bring the Champions League home this season.’

Shortly after City’s title was confirmed winger Raheem Sterling tweeted: ‘What’s that smell? …IT’S THE CHAMPIONS BABYYYY’

There then followed a torrent of tweets from his team-mates celebrating City’s success.

‘Champions of England… again,’ wrote German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan who chipped in with 12 league goals. ‘I would have preferred to celebrate this moment after (our) own game, but I take it anyway — what a season!’

Kevin De Bruyne was more to the point: ‘Another One,’ he tweeted.

Raheem Sterling leads the celebrations after City are confirmed as Premier League champions

Sergio Aguero celebrated his fifth Premier League title with Manchester City on Twitter

City defensive duo Aymeric Laporte (left) and Rodri (right) watched United’s defeat at home

And Sergio Aguero tweeted: ‘Champions! Proud of this team!’

Central defender Aymeric Laporte, who watched the match from home with team-mate Rodri, tweeted: ‘CHAMPIONNNNES CHAMPIONNNNES OLE OLE OLE’.

Former City midfielder David Silva, now at Real Sociedad, won four titles in a City shirt and he tweeted: ‘Champions!! Congrats guys!! Totally deserved it!!’

Gary Lineker was effusive in his praise. ‘Congratulations to Man City on winning the Premier League title,’ he said. ‘A truly superb team full of wonderful players, brilliantly coached by Pep Guardiola.’

Rio Ferdinand said: ‘Credit where it’s due. Pep went back to the drawing board, fixed things up and they came out flying. Deserved champions.’




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