FC Barcelona right-back Joao Cancelo criticised Manchester City and Pep Guardiola saying that the club was not grateful to him and made fake news about him.
Cancelo, who joined the Cityzens from Juventus in 2019, became the most expensive right-back of that time and became an important player for Man City.
However, after some time, he fell out of favour with Guardiola and was ultimately loaned to German club Bayern Munich where he spent six months in 2023.
Talking in an interview with A Bola, Cancelo talked of his relationship with Guardiola and Man City saying he was always committed to the team.
"I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful to me when they told me that, because I was a very important player in the years I was there," Cancelo said about his departure.
"I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans, and I always gave everything. I remember a time when I was mugged and attacked, and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal.
"These are things that are not forgotten. I left my wife and daughter alone at home, terrified. People will only remember this because Mr. Guardiola has much more strength than me when he says something, and I prefer to keep it to myself," Cancelo added, in a nod to public criticism from the manager.
Cancelo also opened up on Guardiola slating him in front of the media allegedly that he was not happy with the performances of his former teammates Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake.
"Lies were told," he insisted. "I've never been a bad colleague to them, and you can ask Ake or Rico. I don't have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them, but that's the coach's opinion."
The Portuguese is now enjoying time at Barcelona where he does not only feel valued by the fans but is also rated by head coach Xavi Hernandez.
"My whole family is Benfica, but I've always admired Barcelona. All my idols played here, I like the way they view the youngsters, [and] they have a game culture that I love," he said.
"Then I went there, I took a pay cut, and that doesn't bother me in the least. It was the third time I was about to come to Barcelona and I'm finally here."
