Joao Cancelo has called Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola the world’s best coach but questioned the club’s “ungrateful” treatment of him and said he has been the subject of “lies”.
Right-back Cancelo won the Premier League three times with City before being abruptly loaned to Bayern Munich in 2023 and joining Barcelona on a season-long loan in August.
“I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful with me,” Cancelo said in an interview with Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola, via Calcio Mercato translation.
“I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, with the fans. I have always given everything.
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“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 never forget: I left my wife and daughter alone at home, terrified. People don’t understand – they will only remember because Mr Guardiola has much more strength than me when he says something, and I prefer to keep it to myself.”
Cancelo: Bruno Fernandes ‘irritating’
Cancelo’s departure from City is thought to have been the result of a disagreement with Guardiola over a lack of playing time, and the 29-year-old said “lies have been told” over his conduct.
“I have never been a bad team-mate… you can ask [Nathan] Ake or Rico [Lewis],” he said. “I prefer to know that I’m telling the truth. I feel satisfied with what I’ve done. I’m a transparent person; I never lie.”
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Cancelo named Guardiola when he was asked who the best coach in football is and said Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes is the player who irritates him the most.
His remarks about his fellow Portugal international are almost certainly playful in the context of the close relationship the pair have appeared to develop during their careers.
Barca president Joan Laporta suggested this week that he does not foresee any issues with signing Cancelo on a permanent basis.
The former Benfica, Valencia and Juventus player has been almost ever-present for the Uefa Champions League quarter-finalists.
