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a cheat when the England winger won a penalty in City’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal in November. Etihad chiefs were disappointed that the FA failed to charge the Gunners boss over his remarks – and Guardiola believes that Sterling has suffered as a consequence. Last week, in the 4-1 victory at West Ham, the former Liverpool forward was denied a stonewall penalty. And Guardiola feels that a similar decision in the Champions League quarterfinal clash with Sterling’s old club Liverpool at leaf out of Messi’s book. Guardiola said: “People talk too much and say Raheem is diving. People start to talk about that and then people start to believe that.

“He is a guy who is quite honest. He is smart, intelligent and he is not a guy who kicks the opponent.

“I learned from the best player in history [Messi]. He never complained on the pitch.

“Top players get kicked, so they stand up and go again – and Raheem has to learn from that.

“Raheem is a guy that is so fast. He’s quicker than the other ones and he’s smarter than the other ones.

“But he is not a guy who always goes down. He is honest, and an exceptional guy.”

City will be presented with the Premier League trophy at the Etihad today and only need to score two against Huddersfield to beat Chelsea’s record of 103 goals in a Premier League season.