Explained: Why Jack Grealish was behind Kyler Walker’s fierce clash with Felipe Melo as Fluminense veteran calls out Man City star over ‘disrespectful’ remarks during Club World Cup final

Walker and Melo were involved in a furious confrontation at the end of the Fifa Club World Cup final in Jeddah. City beat Brazilian giants Fluminense 4-0, with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez putting in inspired performances. At full-time, it looked like Melo's frustration had gotten the better of him after a disappointing night for his side.

However, Melo has now claimed that the scuffle with Walker came about because he was defending his teammate Matheus Martinelli from Jack Grealish. The 40-year-old defender said that Grealish was being disrespectful to Fluminense by taunting them towards the end of the game.

Melo said: "Today Grealish was disrespectful towards the Fluminense institution and I will never let that happen. He was shouting "olé" at the end of the game. This is for the fans, the fans can shout "olé".

"The athlete on the field cannot be disrespectful towards the institution. So, for the idiots who call themselves journalists and have already said that I started trouble, I didn't start any confusion, on the contrary, I went to defend Martinelli, who was being cornered by this athlete. And I would do it again. I am a warrior."

City won't have long to celebrate their fifth title of 2023, as they will return to Premier League action on Wednesday 27 December with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton. Pep Guardiola's side will be looking for a positive result having won just one of their last six league fixtures.