Bernardo Silva has joked that he wants Pep Guardiola to bring more Portuguese players to Manchester City for support in helping to prank the Brazilian contingent.

The 23-year-old winger has enjoyed a bright debut season at the Etihad Stadium, making 53 appearances in all competitions and playing a part in 20 goals.

Although Silva is happy at Man City, he admits to wanting some of his fellow countrymen to arrive at the club for moral support in the international dressing room prank wars.

Speaking about Benjamin Mendy's signing, Silva told the Players' Tribune: "He immediately became the biggest joker in the City dressing room. But, man, let me tell you, he's not alone.

"The problem is that now I'm the only Portuguese guy on the team. I am surrounded by the Brazilians, the Spaniards, the English, and they think it's funny to play pranks on me on Instagram. They've tied my boots to the ceiling. They've tossed me in the pool with all my clothes on.

"Even though we were Premier League champions, going to training every day felt like it did when you were a kid, when you were just having fun. That's pretty rare in football, I think.

"The guys behind it are usually the Brazilian crew: Fernandinho, Ederson, Danilo and Gabriel Jesus, and I've become really close friends with them.

"I swear, this summer, after the World Cup, I'm gonna convince Pep to buy some Portuguese players. I don't even care whether they're good or not. They just need to be very creative with pranks. That's all I ask!"

Silva is currently at the World Cup with his nation.