Pep Guardiola has expressed his frustration regarding player injuries sustained during international friendlies, particularly highlighting the case of Manchester City's John Stones. The City manager revealed that he has "never been so angry" as when Stones was injured while representing England in a friendly match against Belgium earlier this year. Guardiola emphasized the need for players to prioritize their club commitments, stating, "If it's a friendly game, you cannot come back injured. I'm sorry. You are focused. In a friendly game, you cannot come back injured when you're playing in the quarter-finals of the Champions League." His comments reflect the high stakes and pressures faced by clubs during critical competitions, underscoring the importance of player health and availability.

Pep Guardiola has emphasized the significance of John Stones' fitness, expressing that he has "never been so angry" as when the Manchester City defender sustained an injury during England's friendly match against Belgium earlier this year. Stones suffered a muscle injury just 10 minutes into the game on March 26, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Wembley. This setback followed his participation in a match against Brazil three days prior, where he played the full 90 minutes. Since the injury, Stones has struggled to regain his form, making only three starts in the Premier League. Despite his limited appearances, the 30-year-old showcased his value to Manchester City with a crucial added-time winner against Wolves recently. This followed his dramatic equalizer in September's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, highlighting his importance to the team. Guardiola's frustration over Stones' injury underscores the defender's critical role in the squad.