Joao Cancelo has accused Manchester City of being “ungrateful” and claimed “lies were told” about his exit from the club.
The Portugal full-back is currently on a season-long loan at Barcelona after a spell at Bayern Munich in the second half of last term.
Cancelo had been a key part of manager Pep Guardiola’s squad until shortly before his unexpected, deadline-day departure for Germany in January 2023.
Stories later emerged suggesting Cancelo, who had fallen behind Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake in the pecking order, had been a disruptive influence in the dressing room.
The 29-year-old told Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola: “Lies were told. I was never a bad companion for them, and you can ask either Ake or Rico. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them.
“I think Manchester 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. I always gave everything.”
Cancelo, who joined City in a £60 million move from Juventus in 2019, won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2021 and 2022.
He felt his commitment to the club was clear for all to see when he played in a game at Arsenal on New Year’s Day 2022, with facial injuries visible after an attack in his home just hours earlier.
He said: “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 Mr Guardiola has much more strength than me when he says something, and I prefer to keep to myself.”
City have been contacted for comment.
By Andy Hampson, PA
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