Joao Cancelo, given a social media challenge this week, didn’t hold back while aiming at his parent club and one of the Blues’ current players.
The former City player, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, was spotted competing in a blind rating challenge in a video. In the newest social media craze, users rate gamers who randomly surface from one to ten, with the catch being that they have no idea who will be exposed next.
The person who took Cancelo’s place at City, Josko Gvardiol, was the first name to appear on the challenge, which was an unpleasant turn of events. But the Barcelona player put an end to any polite conversation as soon as possible by knocking the Croatian to the bottom of his list.
Cancelo then listed Antoine Griezmann, Hernan Crespo, Frank Lampard, Roberto Carlos, and Thiago Silva of Chelsea as his top four finishers in the challenge. Cancelo then reserved the top spot for Silva. The ongoing dispute between Cancelo and City is not new; the player and the team have a long history of animosity.
In a significant deal that cost roughly £65 million, the Portuguese national first signed a six-year contract with City after leaving Juventus in 2019. Cancelo’s transfer fee set a record for the highest-paid fullback in Premier League history and made him the most expensive right-back ever.
The 29-year-old had a tough beginning but went on to play 98 games for City and was a member of the squad that won the Premier League in 2021 and 2022. However, he was sent on loan to Bayern Munich in the middle of the team’s winning season, which saw them win the Treble. After it was revealed that Cancelo and City manager Pep Guardiola had a falling out, the right-back has subsequently said that “lies were told” and even called his parent team “ungrateful”.
The fullback’s most recent jab marks yet another low point in his relationship with the Blues; at this point, it appears like their relationship is nearly at breaking point. When he replaced Bayern during a Champions League match and returned to Manchester in April of last year, he was infamously jeered, even though Cancelo had previously stated, “I have nothing against City.”
However, many City supporters couldn’t contain their wrath at the most recent Cancelo vs. Blues match, resorting to social media to express their opinions about the Gvaridol prank. What’s with the salt from him? asked one fan on X, the former Twitter platform. Another poster simply replied, “Jealousy.” A third admirer thought imaginatively, adding, “He does make it simple to not regret selling him, doesn’t he? He showed his defensive prowess against PSG, and it’s good that Gvardiol is here to demonstrate what a true defender looks like.”
Gvardiol, who is currently the most expensive defender in the world, had a rocky beginning but has since developed into a vital member of City’s squad as they attempt to become the first side in Premier League history to win four straight league titles. When they play United in the FA Cup final on May 25, their rivals, have another victory in their sights.
While Cancelo’s contract with Manchester City runs through 2027, there is virtually little likelihood that he will play for the Blues evermore.