"It was so hurtful for him" - Guardiola talks about Bernardo Silva

The Portuguese midfielder was given a one-match ban and fined £50,000 ($64,160) for posting a photo of Mendy as a child beside an old image from the Spanish company "Conguitos" that has been convicted for racist undertones in 2019.

and Mendy both supported the star, who has shone this season and provided a non-stop play in the 1-0 triumph against Sheffield United to carry City three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

“What a huge competitor again - he played an incredible game and he was absolutely brilliant,”

announced.

“His humility - in the bad moments he never loses the smile.

“It was a tough period for him, when he was being accused of something he’s not, and it was so hurtful for him.

“Still I cannot understand how the people of the [FA], can accuse him to make a joke from a real friend with Mendy and he struggled sentimentally because he is a humble guy.

“I am delighted he’s back and he is playing the level that we know. He can do everything. He is another top fantastic player who always does the service of the team.”

Meanwhile, winning the Blades was City’s ninth in January, which set a new record for most wins by a team in the top four tiers of English football in a single month.

“To achieve this is quite remarkable, more than any other period from our lives so that is why I didn’t expect it,”

he added.

“I said to the players in the meeting, we’ve finished the first leg, congratulations, it’s remarkable what you’ve done all of you and now keep going. Now go home and rest and Burnley.”

will play Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

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