Other SportsManchester City outcast Cancelo tips Guardiola's men for glory

Manchester City outcast Cancelo tips Guardiola’s men for glory

Disgarded full-back Joao Cancelo believes Manchester City are favourites to win the Champions League, closely followed by Inter.

Cancelo is still contracted to City until 2027 after moving to Manchester from Juventus in 2019, signing an initial six-year deal which he extended for a further two years in 2022.

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However, a public disagreement with Pep Guardiola saw him spend the second half of last season on loan at Bayern Munich and this season with Barcelona on a similar arrangement.

The Portugal international, who has also played for Valencia and Inter, is happy at Camp Nou and hopes to stay there beyond the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I know nothing yet [about the future], but I’d like to stay here. 

“I grew up watching Ronaldinho’s Barcelona. He’s my idol. I am proud to wear this jersey, and there aren’t other clubs I can join, right?

“I was lucky enough to play for only big teams. I am proud of my career because nobody has ever gifted me anything. I’ve conquered everything with sacrifice.”

Barcelona remain in the Champions League – they face Napoli tomorrow night in the second leg of their last-16 clash with the tie delicately poised at 1-1 – but Cancelo thinks the trophy will end up elsewhere.

He added: “Anything can happen even if Inter always win and have the Scudetto in their hands. 

“Right now, they are at the top, only second to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side is favourite to win [the Champions League] because of their players, playing style and coach. 

“They are the only team to have won eight games from eight, but after them, there’s Inter.”

Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher
Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.
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