Joao Cancelo has revealed that disagreements between himself and Pep Guardiola played a role in the breakdown of their relationship at Manchester City.
The 29-year-old spent three-and-a-half years at the Etihad Stadium and was a key cog in Guardiola's machine, chipping in with nine goals and 22 assists in 154 appearances while operating in a unique full-back role.
However, Cancelo surprisingly fell out of favour with Guardiola not long after the 2022 World Cup and a lack of regular game time led to the Portuguese securing a loan move to Bayern Munich in January 2023.
At the time, both Cancelo and Guardiola played down reports of a bust-up between the pair, with the latter explaining the former's decision to leave Man City was driven by a lack of first-team football.
Cancelo now plies his trade on loan at Barcelona where he has established himself as an important player under head coach Xavi this season, contributing with four goals and four assists in 32 appearances across all tournaments.
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The full-back has opened up on his enjoyable experience at Camp Nou as well as his relationship with Man City boss Guardiola, insisting that he has no ill-feelings towards the Catalan.
Speaking in an interview with Portuguese news outlet RTP, Cancelo said: "There are things we didn't agree on, we're not obligated to agree on everything.
"I had things I didn't agree on or he didn't agree with something I said, it was just that. But I don't have resentment, I am very grateful. Life goes on, I am very, very happy here."
The full-back remains on the books at Man City and is under contract until June 2027, but his future seemingly lies away from the Etihad Stadium.
Recent reports have suggested that the Citizens would prefer to sell Cancelo this summer as opposed to loaning him out for the third time, but Barcelona are unlikely to offer more than €20m (£17m) amid their financial restrictions.
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Cancelo is keen to make a permanent move to Barcelona this summer, adding: "At the moment they haven't told me anything, but I hope I can stay.
"I'm doing everything to make that happen. I really want to play for Benfica, really, but I want to play two or three more years [at Barcelona].
"Although we have financial problems, I am delighted to be here. After Benfica, it is the club that I always liked. Pepe told me many times that he was a player for Real Madrid, but I told him that it was for Barcelona. The truth is that I am where I always wanted to be."
Cancelo has also been linked with a possible return to the Premier League, with Arsenal one club that have previously been credited with an interest, while a switch to Saudi Arabia has likewise been mooted.
Oliver Thomas
