Joao Cancelo calls Pep Guardiola a ‘liar’ and blasts ‘ungrateful’ Manchester City

Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo has accused Pep Guardiola of “telling lies” about his departure from Manchester City.

Joao Cancelo was named in the Premier League team of the season in 2021 and 2022, but he left the team on loan in January 2023 after falling out with Pep Guardiola. The Portugal international was loaned out to Bayern Munich in January 2023 and then joined Barcelona on a loan deal last summer.

It was reported at the time that Cancelo had a furious training ground bust-up with Guardiola after falling down the pecking order following the World Cup. Cancelo reportedly had become disruptive in training and his relationship with Guardiola had deteriorated.

In a fresh interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola, Cancelo said he made the ‘right choice’ to leave Man City despite missing out on the Champions League trophy.

Cancelo said: “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.“

Cancelo also accused Guardiola of “telling lies” regarding his departure and labelled Manchester City as “ungrateful”.

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.”