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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Joe Bray

Haaland's cigar, kitman slide and Ronnie Foden - inside Man City players' Champions League celebrations through the night in Istanbul

Jack Grealish had got the celebrations started in the dressing room at the Ataturk Stadium, and Kyle Walker had promised to demolish any drink put in front of him - with a pre-emptive apology to England boss Gareth Southgate.

After celebrating with the Champions League trophy on the pitch in Istanbul with fans, staff and family, City players got the party started well before leaving the stadium for the team hotel.

There, they were greeted by a DJ and the players partied through the night - just as the fans did in the centre of Istanbul.

After finally becoming champions of Europe to complete an incredible treble, City players made sure to make the most of their success. They will return to England on Sunday, and take to the streets of Manchester for a parade on Monday.

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When media duties had finished on Saturday night - or Sunday morning by the time the full-time whistle had blown in Istanbul - the players retreated to the dressing room, with social media videos showing Grealish encouraging teammates to a round of 'Freed from Desire'.

In recent weeks, fans and players have been singing 'Gundo's on fire' in recognition of Ilkay Gundogan's incredible form. This time, Grealish made sure it was 'Rodri's on fire' after his Spanish teammate scored the most important goal by a City player since Sergio Aguero in 2012.

Grealish then joined in with the 'We'll Follow You Everywhere' chant, knowing all the words, and even purposely missing a few that could suggest he was up to no good. And it wouldn't be a City trophy celebration without kitman Brandon Ashton doing a half-naked slide across the dressing room floor.

This time, finally, the Champions League trophy was at the end of his slide (rather than Grealish's Gucci bag), and he lifted the trophy aloft to keep the celebrations going.

Walker took to Instagram to show the dressing room scenes with Gundogan drying his hair after a shower while his teammates still celebrated in their kits.

In the background of another video, Kevin De Bruyne could be seen getting some treatment to his leg after withdrawing from the final early, and later admitting he had pulled his hamstring.

It wasn't just players in the dressing room, though, as young Ronnie Foden looked to be having the time of his life on his dad's shoulders as the players bounced around. The youngsters in the squad could be seen taking it all in in the background of the videos, waiting for their turn to hold the trophy.

After Grealish led the way through the media mixed zone with a boombox and onto the coach, City's party continued at the team hotel, with family, friends, and even the youth team players who travelled to Istanbul to watch the game. Little Ronnie Foden might not have made it to the after-party, but he did feature on Rico Lewis' social media from the team coach, dancing with the right-back.

Videos show a DJ booth and club lights set up at the hotel and 'Treble Winners' branding prepared for the occasion. Erling Haaland posted a picture in the early hours with a cigar, and some sort of blue paste over his face alongside Grealish, who was still in his match shirt.

Whatever the players got up to, and will continue to do this weekend, you can be confident they're enjoying every second. And not getting much sleep.

The Treble of Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League is the ultimate footballing achievement and you can get your hands on the only official souvenir publication of Manchester City's history-making 2022-23 season, packed with amazing pictures, match reports and reaction. Get your copy here.

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