Fans spot Joao Cancelo’s stylish gesture towards Man City ahead of Champions League return with Bayern Munich
JOAO CANCELO made a stylish gesture towards Manchester City last night as he returned with Bayern Munich.
The full-back is currently on loan at the German giants after falling out of favor at City in the first half of the season.
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Arriving at the Etihad last night for the Champions League quarter-final first leg, Cancelo was filmed walking down a familiar corridor.
On the way to the Bayern dressing room, the 28-year-old refused to step on the city emblem on the carpet in the hallway.
Instead, he carefully walked around the badge.
One fan wrote, “Respect,” while another added, “Forgive for that.”
A third tweeted: “Hope he doesn’t get booed he’s still our player.”
Cancelo was named as a replacement by Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel.
He was only brought on when his team was already 3-0 down in the 81st minute.
The Portuguese star, who won two Premier League titles with City, was loudly booed by home fans.
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Cancelo, who was previously a key player at Etihad, found his minutes began to dwindle after the World Cup – with Nathan Ake and youngster Rico Lewis playing time ahead of him.
The decision to loan him to Bayern Munich was made, Cancelo explained in February: “As I said, he [Pep Guardiola] found a way to play after the World Cup where he started playing with a centre-back which is where I played and he liked what he saw with Rico and Nathan.
“But I think a player is always a bit selfish. Every player wants to feel important, wants to play, and anyone who says otherwise is lying.
“A competitive player like me who wants to win titles just wants to play. It’s not about belittling my team-mates. But I thought I deserved to play and he didn’t.”
“I HAVE A DIFFICULT PERSONALITY”
“So we talked, it was a conversation not a discussion and we decided that it would be best for me to leave this market.
“An opportunity I couldn’t refuse. It was amicable. If City didn’t want to, they wouldn’t let me go because I had a contract. I’m very professional, I’ve always given my face to all clubs.
“I have a difficult personality, yes, but I’ve never disrespected teammates or coaches.”
Cancelo will stay with City until 2027.
A permanent move to FC Bayern Munich seems unlikely so far, Benjamin Pavard and Alphonso Davies often start in front of him in the full-back positions.
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