Exclusive: Joao Cancelo reflects on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City career

Former Manchester City defender and now Al Hilal right-back Joao Cancelo has spoken fondly to City Xtra of his time at the Etihad Stadium and working with Pep Guardiola.

The Portugal international defender was reunited with Manchester City players and staff on Monday night, as the Premier League giants went head-to-head with Al Hilal in the last-16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.

And it was Joao Cancelo who emerged victorious, as he played a leading role in the Saudi Pro League side’s dramatic comeback and extra-time victory over Pep Guardiola’s side to set up a last-eight meeting with Fluminense following a 3-4 win in Orlando, Florida.

In the build-up to the game, manager Guardiola spoke fondly of the work he achieved with Cancelo during their time together at the club, before it is believed that a personal disagreement away from the spotlight led to the player’s exit.

Nevertheless, there are certainly no hard feelings between the pair, with Pep Guardiola piling on the praise for his former defender, and now Cancelo himself repaying those comments with some love of his own in the opposition direction.

Speaking exclusively to City Xtra Português this week, Joao Cancelo has glowed with praise when discussing his former coach at the Etihad Stadium in Pep Guardiola, with the pair having reunited at the Camping World Stadium this week.

“He was the best coach I had in my career and I thank him for everything he helped me achieve in my career,” the Portugal international said of Guardiola. “He is the best of the best.”

Reflecting on his time in the North-West of England, Cancelo continued, “I have a very special affection for Manchester City.

“I will always be grateful for everything they gave me and everything I achieved. My daughter Alicia was born in Manchester, so you can see why I can’t forget it.”

The comments from the Al Hilal right-back, who won almost everything available to him across the course of his Manchester City career, were sparked by Pep Guardiola’s own comments during a press conference last weekend.

The Manchester City manager said of Cancelo, “I have incredible respect for Joao and everyone.

“He has an incredible heart, but was upset and sad because he didn’t play, he LOVES to play! When I said, ‘Training is over’, he said, ‘No! One more!’ He LOVES to play football, and I’m happy he had the experience in Barcelona, and after in Al Hilal, happy he’s back from injury.”