The reasons behind Joao Cancelo's controversial Manchester City exit last year have now been revealed by a source close to the club, detailed in a new report this week.
The Portugal international full-back first left the club in surprising fashion last January, joining Bayern Munich on a six-month loan agreement, with the Bundesliga side ultimately opting against making such a deal permanent through a EUR70 million purchase option.
While Cancelo was afforded the opportunity to feature for Manchester City during the pre-season tour of Asia ahead of the ongoing 2023/24 season, a decision was ultimately made within the club to seek out another agreement, either permanent or temporary.
As such, the 29-year-old joined FC Barcelona on a season-long loan deal, with the Catalan giants seeing the true qualities of the on-loan Manchester City defender and eyeing a full-time deal during the upcoming summer market.
But just what happened to Joao Cancelo's once-stellar period under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City?
As per Lu Martin speaking to Carrusel Deportivo, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, it was Cancelo's attitude that ultimately forced through a Manchester City exit last year, first to Bayern Munich and then to FC Barcelona during the most recent summer window.
Martin explained, "It's a problem of attitude and behaviour. If there's one thing Pep (Guardiola) can't stand it's bad behaviour and being overweight. Cancelo's behaviour was not the right one, although as a footballer he has tremendous quality."
"The same thing happened to him at Valencia," Martin continued. "He didn't leave because he didn't play badly, he left because even God couldn't stand him. At Barca as long as he plays, there is no problem, but the day he stops playing his character will come out.
"As long as he doesn't have competition that won't happen, but at City it was different, there was a lot of quality there."
Manchester City have certainly not struggled in the absence of the Portuguese defender, and in fact went on to win the Treble alongside an up-turn in performances coinciding with his exit to Munich in 2023.
Rico Lewis has simultaneously been allowed to thrive in a multitude of positions, while Kyle Walker saw his services retained beyond the end of last season and take on the club's captaincy for the ongoing season and presumably beyond.
At present, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Joao Cancelo beyond the end of this season, however it is highly unlikely that he will return to Manchester and could be handed a cut-price exit to a potential suitor as early as July.