Manchester City’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Palermo in Friday’s pre-season clash should have been all about Tijjani Reijnders’ dazzling debut display — but a glaring error on the Dutch midfielder’s shirt ended up stealing the headlines.
Shirt slip-up overshadows star performance
Reijnders, who joined City from AC Milan in June for €55 million (£47.5m/$64m) in a deal that could rise to €70m (£60m/$81m), marked his arrival with a stunning brace. His sharp movement, composure in the box, and quick adaptation to Pep Guardiola’s style left fans buzzing about his potential impact this season.
However, eagle-eyed supporters noticed a major gaffe — the 26-year-old’s name was misspelled on the back of his shirt. Instead of “Reijnders,” the jersey read “Reijinders,” with an extra ‘i’ sneaking its way in. The blunder quickly went viral on social media, sparking a mix of amusement and disbelief from fans who expect perfection both on and off the pitch at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola praises new midfield dynamo
Despite the embarrassing typo, Guardiola was full of praise for his new signing after the final whistle.
“We knew he was a special player who would arrive in the box,” Guardiola said. “He scored two goals and had a fantastic performance, like the rest of his teammates. He can play defensive midfield, but he loves getting into the box to help our attackers like Erling [Haaland] and Omar [Marmoush]. Really delighted!”
The Spanish tactician’s words suggest Reijnders could play a pivotal role in Manchester City’s midfield this season, offering both defensive stability and attacking thrust.
A fresh chapter for Manchester City
Last season saw City fall short of their own sky-high standards, leaving Guardiola eager to rejuvenate the squad. Alongside Reijnders, the summer arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki signal a bold refresh for the reigning eight-time Premier League champions.
Reijnders’ official Premier League debut is expected to come against Wolves on Saturday, August 16. Fans will hope to see another dynamic performance — and this time, with his name spelled correctly on his shirt.
Turning focus to the season ahead
While the Palermo typo may have caused a stir, it’s unlikely to overshadow the excitement surrounding City’s new signings. If Reijnders can replicate his debut heroics in competitive matches, Manchester City supporters will have far more to cheer about than a few misplaced letters.