‘Looks like he ain’t coming back’ – Man City fans react as Joao Cancelo releases statement on Instagram

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo has released a final statement on his Instagram page ahead of completing a move to Bayern Munich today.

The Portuguese full-back is expected to join the Bundesliga club on an initial loan with a €70m (£61.5m) option to buy in the summer. The 28-year-old has only started three games for City since the World Cup and became frustrated with his lack of action under Pep Guardiola this season.

Cancelo, who signed for City from Juventus in 2019, has made 154 appearances for the Blues and won two league titles and the EFL Cup. He only penned a new five-year deal in February 2022 after being one of the club’s best performers in recent campaigns.

The defender has not featured since the Premier League defeat by Manchester United earlier this month, with Nathan Ake being preferred over him at left-back in recent weeks.

Now, ahead of the official announcements from both clubs, Joao Cancelo has released a statement on his Instagram page accompanying a highlights reel of his best moments at Manchester City, produced by his team.

Cancelo wrote, “Once a Cityzen, always a Cityzen. Thank you. #mommyblessme,” he wrote, which was accompanied by a blue heart.

These Cancelo’s post shared on Twitter gathered a number of replies from a wide range of Man City supporters.

@MagicMahrezx: “No you are not.”

@radique4: “Nah nah mf clearly you weren’t a cityzen if you decided to leave on these terms.”

@SundaySZN: “looks like he aint coming back.”

@SuchWrld: “No loan player ever gives a message like this means he ain’t coming back, it’s either Bayern pay the buy out or Barca or madrid in the summer”

@stockport: “that’s all you’ve got to say to the fans who supported you through thick and thin? the club who endlessly gave you love even when you didn’t give it back? yeah, good riddance..”

@YakumiSarai: “Well, I can only say good luck with your new adventures. Whatever he did and whatever will happen, he still once dons a City shirt so I will always hope the best for him..”

@SamCarterAgency: “I’m not going lie, I’m not happy about this. He was great for us.”

@mrifqifarisii: “He loves the club, but he hates Pep. I still stand with Pep. Thanks, Joao! Best of luck!.”

@sorodine24: “Thanks for what you have done for us! Good luck my man 💙”

Cancelo will join Bayern for the remainder of the season, with the Bundesliga club having the option to buy the Portugal international for a fee of around £61million when the loan agreement comes to an end.

City are unlikely to buy anyone to replace Cancelo, with Guardiola having enough cover for both full-back positions in Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Laporte and Sergio Gomez.