john stones bids farewell as man city exit news confirmed and the entire football world is talking about it fans are crying players are posting messages pundits are debating his legacy journalists are writing tributes and everyone is wondering what happens next this is not just a simple transfer story this is a moment that marks the end of an era for manchester city this is a player who lifted trophies fought hard for the badge and shared tears and sweat with his teammates over so many years now he is saying goodbye and it is a goodbye that has shaken the city dressing room many people have seen this coming over the last few months
but few expected it to be confirmed so suddenly the news broke with a sense of finality a sense that there was no turning back anymore john stones himself posted a long emotional message thanking everyone who helped him along the way the coaches the fans his family his teammates he talked about the memories he will cherish forever he talked about the city fans singing his name about the goals he scored that made the etihad roar about the last ditch tackles about the champions league triumph about the domestic doubles and trebles about the joy of silencing rivals about the hard days when he felt low and doubted himself about the managers who trusted him about the ones who shouted at him to do better and he accepted all of it with humility he admitted that leaving is not easy he said that he felt part of the man city family he called it a home away from home he praised the staff at the training ground the chefs the kit men
the physios the analysts the security guards who greeted him every day he said he will never forget them and that he hoped they knew how grateful he was he said football can be cruel because you have to move on even when your heart wants to stay but he was also clear that it was time he needed a new challenge maybe he felt he was no longer first choice maybe he was tired of the same routine maybe the club wanted to cash in maybe he wanted to see a new country new league new culture he did not give all the details in public but behind the scenes people know that his role in the team was changing pep guardiola had used him in midfield sometimes in defence sometimes on the bench city were already planning for the future signing younger players wanting more flexibility wanting to refresh the squad so while stones was still respected he was no longer the untouchable defender of a few
seasons ago that is the brutal truth of elite football even the best are replaced in time that is how city stayed on top so long they did not let loyalty cloud their judgment but this does not mean they are not emotional about saying goodbye in fact several man city players have already posted messages for him kyle walker who is also rumoured to be leaving wrote an emotional farewell saying that stones was like a brother that they shared so many memories that they came in the same era and saw the club rise together walker said he would miss their
jokes in the dressing room their arguments on the pitch their understanding as defenders that did not even need words stones replied to walker saying he loved him and would never forget him phil foden also posted a picture of them celebrating a goal saying it was an honour to play with him that he learned so much watching him stones replied to foden saying that he was the future of the club and to never lose his love for the game ruben dias posted a black and white photo of him hugging stones after a big champions league win saying thank you for everything you taught me brother stones responded saying they pushed each other to the limit and he would miss those battles these are not fake social media posts these are genuine bonds forged in training and big matches in moments of triumph and in moments of doubt there was also a video
that went viral of stones walking out of the etihad tunnel one last time turning to look back at the stands his face a mix of pride and sadness you could see he was holding back tears the club itself released a long tribute video with highlights of his city career from his early days when he was still adapting to pep guardiolas demands when he made mistakes when fans doubted him to the glorious days when he became one of the best ball playing defenders in the world when he was essential to citys ability to dominate possession and break lines the video had goals he scored rare but important like the one in the champions league semi final it had goal line clearances vital
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interceptions moments when he threw his body on the line it had him lifting the premier league trophy the fa cup the champions league and celebrating in the dressing room with champagne it also had interviews with guardiola praising him calling him one of the most intelligent defenders he had worked with saying that stones understood space better than most midfielders that he had the courage to keep the ball even under intense pressing it showed stones in training with young players giving them tips smiling encouraging them being a leader in his own quiet way city fans have reacted with sadness but also with immense gratitude there have been banners thanking him outside the etihad messages all over social media fans sharing photos of meeting him autographs he signed stories of him taking time to talk to them even after tough losses fans have been saying he is one of them that
he understood the club that he gave his best some have said they hope he comes back one day maybe as a coach or ambassador some have said they feel old because they remember when he signed from everton as a young lad with potential now he leaves as a veteran with multiple titles it is hard to let go of players who define an era but that is what is happening right now pundits have weighed in on tv and online saying that stones departure shows how quickly football changes that city are ruthless but smart that they know how to refresh the squad before decline sets in some have praised stones for knowing when to leave for not becoming a benchwarmer collecting a paycheck for wanting to play wanting to challenge himself
there is speculation about where he is going some reports say saudi arabia some say italy some say spain there is even talk of a return to everton though that seems unlikely because of their financial situation no one knows for sure yet and stones has not confirmed it but it is clear that negotiations are advanced city have given him permission to talk to other clubs they will get a fee for him nothing like his prime value but still useful funds to reinvest city are also working on replacements young defenders from south america from europe they want the next stones or better they know pep guardiola demands perfection from the back
line he wants defenders who can pass like midfielders who can sprint like full backs who can read the game like veterans that is what stones became after years of work he was not always this good when he arrived he was raw talented but error prone fans remember those early games when he was caught in possession when he looked lost against fast counter attacks but guardiola stuck with him taught him drilled him improved him even dropped him at times to push him harder over time stones became a key part of citys build up play their defensive solidity he was trusted in big games in finals in title deciders he was even used in midfield in the famous inverted role that confused so many opponents he was brave on the ball calm under pressure vocal when needed but now that chapter is over that is football city will move on they always do but they will
remember him he leaves as a treble winner as a premier league champion multiple times as a champions league winner as a man who gave his best years to the club fans know this fans will sing his name even when he is gone and he will always be welcome back the dressing room will miss his jokes his pranks his quiet leadership his friendship kyle walker said it best they were brothers and it is rare to find that in football where players move so often for money for glory for whatever reason they stayed together for years and won everything but time waits for no one city have new plans new signings new dreams fans will debate if letting him go is smart if they will regret it if they will miss his experience in big games but that is a debate for another day today is about saying thank you john stones did not leave with bitterness he left with class with love with respect he shook hands with the manager
the executives his teammates the staff he left with his head high knowing he gave everything that is all you can ask for in football some players sneak out the back door forgotten or unwanted stones leaves through the front door with applause that is the right way to go he even joked in his farewell that he hopes the fans will not boo him if he comes back one day in another shirt he knows they will not they will cheer they will say there is one of us there is a city man through and through even if he is playing somewhere else that is what legacy means and so the news is confirmed john stones is leaving manchester city the club has thanked him the players have said
goodbye the fans have shed tears but they will all move on life goes on city will play new games sign new players chase new trophies stones will make new memories somewhere else but this moment right here is for remembering what he did what he won how he played how he carried himself the laughs the hugs the shouts the goals the tackles the saves the trophies all of it matters all of it is history now football moves fast it forgets quickly but city fans will not forget john stones he is part of their story forever and he knows it and he is proud of it and he should be because he earned it with blood sweat and tears with talent with intelligence with courage with humility this is football at its best and worst the joy of winning the pain of parting but that is why people love it because it is real it is human so goodbye john stones good luck wherever you go and thank you for
everything you did for manchester city football will watch your next steps with interest and respect
