Joao Cancelo rips into 'ungrateful' Man City and accuses Pep Guardiola of 'telling lies' in heated interview

Joao Cancelo has taken aim at Manchester City and Pep Guardiola in an explosive interview with Portuguese media – and he hasn't held back one bit.

The 29-year-old full-back, who is currently on a season-long loan at La Liga side Barcelona, last played a game for the Citizens in January last year.

Cancelo and Guardiola were reportedly involved in a heated training ground argument over his lack of game time after Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis were selected ahead of him.

He would join Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich on January 31, 2023 – a decision that surprised many given City's decision to sell Oleksandr Zinchenko the previous summer.

As well as his annoyance over a lack of game time, a report suggested Cancelo's body language was not up to the standards of Guardiola, who has a 'no bad faces policy' at City.

Staff also felt he was not paying attention in tactical meetings or listening to instructions.

Since his departure, Cancelo has spoken to numerous outlets about his decision to leave Manchester City for regular first-team minutes.

But a recent chat with Portuguese outlet A Bola is arguably the most heated to date as he hit back at suggestions he reacted poorly to being left out of the team.

Guardiola decided Cancelo had to be loaned out after being disappointed by his attitude when given decreased game time, according to The Guardian.

"Lies were told!" he said in response to those claims.

"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."

Image credit: Getty

Cancelo added: "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."

The Portugal international was also asked if he expected to be loaned out twice.

"No, I really didn't think so, but I live my life by the moment," he said. "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."