Joao Cancelo breaks silence on Pep Guardiola fallout and makes Man City transfer hint

Joao Cancelo has spoken out on his bust-up with Pep Guardiola and dropped a huge hint about his Manchester City future.

Not too long ago Cancelo was one of City's most important players, but that all changed midway through last season when he lost his place in the starting XI and fell out with Guardiola.

The City boss and his staff became concerned that Cancelo's attitude was negatively affecting the dressing room, so the decision was made to loan him out for the rest of the season.

While City were busy winning the treble Cancelo spent time at Bayern Munich, before joining Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer.

Now the Portuguese star has for the first time opened up on his spat with Guardiola.

"There are things we didn't agree on, we're not obligated to agree on everything," Cancelo told Portuguese network RTP.

"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 [at Barcelona]."

Cancelo said that he is "where I always wanted to be," admitting that he doesn't want to return to City at the end of the season.

"At the moment they [Barcelona] haven't told me anything, but I hope I can stay. I'm doing everything to make that happen.

Joao Cancelo in action for Barcelona. Image: Getty

"I really want to play for Benfica, really, but I want to play two or three more years here.

"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 I 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's admission that he wants to end his career at Benfica echoes comments from Bernardo Silva, who on Monday said he wants to return to the club where he began his career.

Cancelo took a wage cut to join Barcelona on loan, and with three years remaining on his City contract, it could take a hefty fee for him to leave Manchester on a permanent basis.

Topics: Manchester City, Joao Cancelo, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton