“Lies were told!” “People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola has much more power than me”-Man City LoaneeCancelo has opened up on his exit from Man City and what exactly went down. Safe to say he won’t be returning when his loan ends this summer
Joao Cancelo has taken aim at Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in an incendiary interview with Portuguese media, and he has not held back.
The 29-year-old full-back, who is presently on a season-long loan with La Liga side Barcelona, last played for the Citizens in January of last year.
Cancelo and Guardiola reportedly had a violent training ground disagreement about his lack of playing time after Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis were chosen ahead of him.
He would join Bundesliga club Bayern Munich on January 31, 2023, which surprised many considering City’s choice to transfer Oleksandr Zinchenko the previous summer.
In addition to his dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time, a source said Cancelo’s body language did not meet Guardiola’s standards, who has a ‘no bad faces policy’ at City.
Staff also thought he wasn’t paying attention in tactical meetings or following directions.
Cancelo has spoken to a number of media sites about his intention to quit Manchester City in search of regular first-team playing time.
But a recent interview with Portuguese site A Bola is possibly the most heated to date, as he rebutted claims that he reacted poorly to being kept out of the team.
Guardiola felt Cancelo needed to be loaned out after being frustrated with his attitude when given less playing time, according to The Guardian.
“Lies were told!” he exclaimed in response to such allegations.
“I’ve never been a horrible teammate for them, just ask (Nathan) Ake or Rico (Lewis). I don’t have a superiority or inferiority mentality with them, but that’s the manager’s opinion.
“I stayed because it was not true. I believe Man City were ungrateful to me when they stated that, considering I was a key player throughout my time there. I never failed to fulfil my promise to the club or the supporters, and I always gave my all. I recall being robbed and attacked once, and the next day I was playing against Arsenal at the Emirates.”
Cancelo continued, “These are things you don’t forget; I left my wife and children alone at home, afraid. People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola wields far more influence than I do when he speaks, whilst I prefer to remain silent.
“I prefer to know that I am telling the truth, and I am satisfied with what I accomplished. I am a transparent individual who never lies. Life continues on, and I hope everything goes well because I had a good time there with my football squad. They remain the favourites to win the Champions League.
The Portugal international was also asked whether he anticipated to be loaned out twice.
“No, I really didn’t think so, but I live my life by the moment,” he added. “A number of factors led to my loan to Bayern Munich last year. I have no regrets, even if City wins the Champions League.
“I believe I made the right decision by going to a club that genuinely wanted me, even before renewing my contract. It was a club that provided me a lot during my six months there.
“I worked with excellent players, and the club is fantastic. Then I came here and cut my income, and I’m not upset in the least. This was the third time I was planning to visit Barcelona, and I’m finally here.”
