“Lies were told!” – Joao Cancelo hits out at “ungrateful” Manchester City

Joao Cancelo has hit out at reports that he was a bad teammate at Manchester City. He stated that there were a lot of lies published to tarnish his image.

Speaking to the media, the Barcelona loanee stated that he had no issues with Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis. He added that there was no superiority complex and he respected the decision from Pep Guardiola. 

He said:

“Lies were told! I’ve never been a bad teammate for them and you can ask either (Nathan) Ake or Rico (Lewis). I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them, but that’s the manager’s opinion. I stayed because it’s not 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 moved to Bayern Munich on loan in January 2023, but they decided against signing him permanently. He moved to Barcelona on loan last summer, and they are looking to bring him back next season. 

Also read: Premier League star comments on transfer links with Manchester City

Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, said:

“I think both Joaos will continue. I hope that Atletico Madrid do not cause any inconvenience in Felix staying with us and I believe Manchester City is not going to put it either. We have an agent there who is working on the matter – Jorge Mendes, who knows we intend to continue with them.”

Barcelona are looking to sign the Portuguese star on loan for another season and then get him permanently from Manchester City. 

What was published about Manchester City star Joao Cancelo?

Marti Perarnau, the biographer who wrote ‘God Save Pep, was talking to Cadena SER when he claimed that Joao Cancelo was not happy with his demotion at Manchester City and did not feel respected by the manager.

Also read: Manchester City Await Verdict on 115 FFP Charges Amid Everton and Nottingham Forest Penalties

He said:

“There was a phenomenon this beginning of the year which was the appearance of Rico Lewis, at a time when Cancelo returned from the World Cup in a very poor state of form and Kyle Walker returned injured. Pep Guardiola opted for the young 17-year-old youth player over two highly experienced players; but Lewis did not shrink from the opportunity and soon earned a place on the right wing of the ‘Citizen’.”

He added:

“The only solution was to put a 17-year-old player to play against Chelsea, Liverpool and against everyone. The kid is starting to put in extraordinary performances and is going to win the job, but Cancelo doesn’t want to accept that. He demanded to play and says ‘I’m Cancelo and I’m going to play, and not this kid’.”

There were reports that Joao Cancelo was a problematic character at Barcelona at the start of the season, but Xavi dismissed all claims.