Joao Cancelo is dissatisfied with Manchester City for being unappreciative regarding his departure from the Premier League club.
Joao Cancelo, the talented defender from FC Barcelona, has spoken out against the false rumors that circulated about him following his loan move to Bayern Munich from Manchester City last year.
Cancelo, who had been a key player under Pep Guardiola, was loaned out to the German side in January 2023 before joining Barcelona on loan for the current season.
Reports had suggested that Cancelo was unhappy with the playing time given to Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis under Guardiola. However, in an interview with Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Cancelo vehemently denied these claims.
He stated, “Lies were told! I’ve never been a bad teammate to them, and you can ask either Ake or Rico. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them, but that’s the manager’s opinion..”
When asked if he was disappointed by the reports, Cancelo expressed his frustration, saying, “I was because it wasn’t true. I think Man City were a bit ungrateful to me when they said that because I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans, and I always gave everything.”
Cancelo also recalled a difficult personal experience, stating, “I remember a time when I was robbed and attacked, and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal. These are things you don’t forget. I left my wife and my daughter alone at home, terrified.”
Despite the controversy surrounding his time at Manchester City, Cancelo has found a new home at Barcelona. Club president Joan Laporta has expressed his desire to extend Cancelo’s stay, either through a permanent transfer or another loan deal.
Cancelo himself has no regrets about leaving City, even though they achieved a treble success last season. “I live life in the moment,” Cancelo said. “Certain things dictated that I was loaned to Bayern Munich last year. I have no regrets, even if City won the Champions League. I feel like I made the right choice, that I went to a club that really wanted me, even before renewing my contract. It was a club that gave me a lot in the six months I was there. I dealt with great players, and the club is spectacular.”
Now at Barcelona, Cancelo has embraced the challenges that come with his new club. He lowered his salary to join the team and expressed his excitement about finally being at Barcelona after previous failed attempts.
Cancelo remains optimistic about the future, stating, “Life goes on, and I wish everything goes well because while I was there, I enjoyed my football and the team. They remain the favorite team to win the Champions League.”