Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo on Manchester Metropolis exit: ‘I believe they had been ungrateful to me’

Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo on Manchester City exit: ‘I think they were ungrateful to me’

Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo has denied allegations of a dressing room fallout throughout his time at Manchester Metropolis.

The Portugal worldwide left Metropolis to affix Bayern Munich on mortgage in January 2023. The Athletic reported that there was not one main flashpoint that led to his departure however moderately a sequence of smaller incidents and a normal sample of behaviour that Metropolis noticed as disruptive.

Defenders Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake had been routinely picked forward of Cancelo by Pep Guardiola, however the 29-year-old, who’s on mortgage at Barcelona from Metropolis, says that accusations of a reported dispute with the 2 defenders after dropping his place within the beginning XI are unfaithful.

He informed Portuguese sports activities newspaper A Bola: “Lies have been informed! I’ve by no means been a foul companion to them and you’ll ask each Ake and Rico.

“I’ve no superiority or inferiority advanced in the direction of them, however that’s his (Guardiola’s) opinion. I stayed as a result of it’s not true. I believe Man Metropolis had been a bit ungrateful to me once they mentioned that as a result of I used to be an important participant throughout the years I used to be there.

“I by no means failed in my dedication to the membership, to the followers and I all the time gave every part. I bear in mind a time after I was mugged and overwhelmed up and the following day I used to be taking part in on the Emirates towards Arsenal. These are belongings you don’t neglect, I left my spouse and daughter alone at dwelling terrified.

“I want to know that I’m telling the reality, I really feel fulfilled by what I’ve finished. I’m a clear particular person, I’ve by no means lied. Life goes on and I want all of them one of the best, as a result of whereas I used to be there I loved my soccer and the crew.”

GO DEEPER

How Cancelo’s relationship with Guardiola deteriorated and reached the purpose of no return

The Athletic reported that Cancelo’s response to being on the bench towards Arsenal within the FA Cup in January 2023, the third sport in a row during which he was unnoticed of Metropolis’s beginning XI, was a turning level in his relationship with supervisor Guardiola.

Cancelo swiftly joined Bayern on mortgage till the tip of the 2022-23 season, serving to the German aspect win the Bundesliga. He then joined Barcelona in September 2023.

Cancelo, who has performed at each proper and left-back this season, has made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring 4 targets and offering 4 assists. His present deal at Metropolis expires in June 2027.

Requested if he thought that he would go on two consecutive loans after signing a contract extension in February 2022, Cancelo added: “No, I didn’t actually give it some thought, however I’m residing my life in the intervening time. Sure issues dictated that I went on mortgage to Bayern Munich final 12 months.

“I don’t remorse it, although Metropolis gained the Champions League. I really feel I made the correct selection, that I went to a membership that actually needed me, even earlier than I renewed my contract. It was a membership that gave me lots within the six months I used to be there.

“I handled nice gamers and the membership is spectacular. Then I got here right here, lowered my wage and I’m not bothered by it within the slightest. That is the third time I’ve needed to come back to Barcelona and at last, I’m right here.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta mentioned that he’s hopeful Cancelo, alongside fellow Portugal worldwide and loanee Joao Felix, will keep on the membership subsequent season.