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Joao Cancelo accuses Pep Guardiola of ‘telling lies’ and slams ‘ungrateful’ Man City in extraordinary rant
In an explosive interview, Joao Cancelo accused Pep Guardiola of dishonesty and labeled Manchester City as “ungrateful.” Cancelo’s remarks come as a response to Guardiola’s claims that his departure was due to his reaction to being dropped from the team.
Having initially moved on loan to Bayern Munich before later joining Barcelona, where he has since made 32 appearances, Cancelo expressed his frustration with City’s attitude and Guardiola’s assertions. However, he clarified that he harbors no ill feelings towards missing out on the club’s treble victory last season.
Asked if he expected to embark on two successive loans in an interview with A Bola, Cancelo replied, “No, I really didn’t think so, but I live my life by the moment. Certain things dictated that I was loaned last year to Bayern Munich. 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. Then I came here, lowered my salary and I’m not bothered by it in the slightest. This was the third time I was about to come to Barcelona and I’m finally here.”
Asked about Guardiola’s assertion that he responded poorly to being left out of the team, Cancelo added, “Lies were told! I’ve never been a bad team-mate 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. 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 daughter alone at home, terrified. People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola has much more power than me when he says something and I prefer to keep to myself. I prefer to know that I am telling the truth, I feel fulfilled with what I did. I am a transparent person, I never lie. Life goes on and I wish everything goes well, because while I was there I enjoyed my football and the team. They remain the favourite team to win the Champions League.”
Cancelo had a trophy-filled tenure at City, winning the League Cup and three Premier League titles. He won the Bundesliga at Bayern in the 2022–2023 season, and it’s unclear if he’ll add another trophy to his growing collection at Barcelona.
On Saturday, Barcelona takes on Las Palmas in La Liga in an attempt to catch up to leaders Real Madrid, who are presently eight points ahead of Xavi’s team. Cancelo has a contract that runs out at Etihad Stadium in 2027, therefore he is expected to return to Man City this summer. It is unclear, though, how Guardiola will incorporate him back into the team.