A number of Manchester City fans are keen to see Joao Cancelo stay as a Blues player beyond the end of the season after being named in the Fifpro World XI at The Best Fifa awards on Monday evening.
The left-back is currently on loan at Bayern Munich until the end of the season with the Bundesliga champions attaining an option to buy this summer. His unexpected January switch came amid reports of a falling out with boss Pep Guardiola, although he has since denied that he forced through an exit.
"It’s not a question of devaluing my teammates, because others are on the bench to play. But I thought I deserved to play and he didn’t,” Cancelo said last week. "It [loan move to Bayern] was by mutual agreement.
READ MORE: Manchester United and Man City stars named in FIFPro World XI
“If City didn’t want to, they wouldn’t let me leave, because I had a contract. I’m very professional, I’ve always given my face for all the clubs. I have a difficult personality, yes, but I have never, at any time, disrespected teammates or coaches.”
And at the weekend, the full-back hinted that he may still have a future at City, saying: "Will I still celebrate an English title with City? I hope so.
"I created a second family there. A spectacular group, I would go to training with great enthusiasm. Everything in life has an end. But at the end of the season I might even return, you never know."
After being named in the team of the year, Cancelo took to Instagram to share a photo of himself on stage with his award, writing: “Dreams come true. Everything for you, Mom”. City stars Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland both made the cut, too.
Reacting to the news in the comments, City teammate Manuel Akanji typed praying and starry-eyed emojis while Bayern colleague Thomas Muller said: “Congrats Joao” with a series of clapping and fire emojis.
Cancelo has recorded two assists in his six Bayern Munich outings and Monday’s inclusion in the world team of the year prompted City fans to urge him to come back to Manchester. Some on Twitter believe Guardiola made a poor judgement in allowing him to depart, temporarily at least.
Hous_20op: Believe me, Pep internally knows that he has lost a great player, but admitting a mistake is very difficult.
Onyi_sleekbeddings__: Come back to City.
K_qq.19: Joao, I wish you could see this, City fans actually miss you, we need you back home!!! CITY4EVER.
Imran85: Come back to City bro.
Albert_esquivell: One more try at City Joao. Bernardo and Ruben miss you.
Bdubbs_vt: Miss you at City!! Pep was wrong, come back lol.
Daddyhaiderr: Come back to City.
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