João Cancelo has taken a swipe at Manchester City, claiming “lies were told” about him following his departure to Bayern Munich in January 2023.

The Portugal international had been key player for City manager Pep Guardiola but fell out of favour in the first half of the 2022-23 campaign.

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There were claims in the media that Cancelo was unhappy with teammates Rico Lewis and Nathan Aké because they were getting more playing time and that it was affecting the team.

Cancelo, who is on a season long-loan at Barcelona from City told ABola newspaper : “Lies were told! I’ve never been a bad teammate for them and you can ask either Aké or Rico. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them, but that’s the manager’s opinion…”

Asked if he was saddened by those reports, Cancelo said: “I was because it wasn’t true. I think Man City were a bit ungrateful to me when they said that, because I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans and I always gave everything.

“I remember a time when I was robbed and attacked and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal. These are things you don’t forget, I left my wife and my daughter alone at home, terrified.

“People will only remember this because Mister Guardiola has much more strength than me when he says something and I prefer to keep to myself. I prefer to know that I am telling the truth, I feel fulfilled with what I did. I am a transparent person, I never lie.”

Cancelo, 29. said he has no regrets over leaving City in January 2023 despite the club going on to win a historic treble — the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

“I live life in the moment,” he said. “Certain things dictated that I was loaned to Bayern Munich last year. I have no regrets, even if City won the Champions League. I feel like I made the right choice, that I went to a club that really wanted me, even before renewing my contract. It was a club that gave me a lot in the six months I was there. I dealt with great players and the club is spectacular.

“Then I came here [to Barcelona], lowered my salary and I’m not bothered by it in the slightest. This was the third time I was about to come to Barcelona and I’m finally here.”

Cancelo, who has expressed his desire to continue at Barça beyond this summer, claimed he holds no grudge towards City. “Life goes on and I wish everything goes well, because while I was there I enjoyed my football and the team,” he said.

“They remain the favourite team to win the Champions League.”

Cancelo is under contract with City until June 2027.

German soccer and Adidas are breaking up.

American sportswear giant Nike will supply all of Germany’s national teams with their apparel and equipment from 2027, the German soccer federation (DFB) surprisingly announced Thursday.

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The new deal extends to 2034 and ends Germany’s long-standing relationship with Adidas, which goes back some 70 years and had appeared unshakeable.

Germany’s men’s team is using Adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach, near Nuremberg, as its team base for the European Championship, which Germany is hosting this summer.

Adidas appeared to be surprised by the DFB’s decision to switch to its biggest rival, only confirming in a brief statement: “We were informed by the DFB today that the association will have a new supplier from 2027.”

German teams wore Adidas gear for all four of the men’s World Cup titles, their three European titles, and the women’s two World Cup and eight European titles.

“We’re looking forward to working with Nike and the trust they’ve placed in us,” federation president Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement. “The future partnership will enable the DFB to continue to carry out key tasks in the coming decade with regard to the comprehensive development of soccer in Germany.

“But one thing is also clear — until December 2026, we will do everything we can to achieve shared success with our long-standing and current partner Adidas, to whom German soccer has owed a lot for more than seven decades.”

Adi Dassler, the founder of the German sportswear brand, sat on the bench beside West Germany coach Sepp Herberger when the German men’s team won the World Cup for the first time in 1954, wearing his company’s screw-in stud boots.

Dassler did not invent the boots with changeable studs, as many believe. They were invented some years before by German shoemaker Alexander Salot, who registered his invention with the German patent office on Aug. 30, 1949.

But they certainly helped the Germans beat Hungary in the 1954 World Cup final. Dassler’s company has been supplying German soccer with its gear ever since, and only last week it presented the new jerseys for Euro 2024, which Germany will host between between June 14 and July 14.

Germany’s under-21 coach Antonio Di Salvo said the decision to change kit supplier was “very surprising for everyone … especially now when the new jersey for the European Championship was presented. I did not expect that.”

It appears to have been driven by financial and other concerns.

“Nike made by far the best economic offer and also impressed with its substantive vision, which includes a clear commitment to the promotion of amateur and grassroots sports as well as the sustainable development of women’s soccer in Germany,” DFB chief executive Holger Blask said.

DFB treasurer Stephan Grunwald also pointed to a rosier future for German soccer as a result of the new deal.

“We are grateful to be able to look forward to an economically stable future as an association thanks to Nike’s commitment,” Grunwald said, without providing details of what the American company will pay.

It’s clearly more than Adidas was prepared to invest to extend its existing deal. But the DFB’s decision to switch has not met universal approval at home.

“I can hardly imagine the German jersey without the three stripes,” German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said. “Adidas and black-red-gold always belonged together for me, a piece of German identity. I would have liked a bit more local patriotism.”

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to make the thrilling FA Cup win over Liverpool “the moment” they turn their season around.

Substitute Amad Diallo scored the winner in the 121st minute to seal an incredible 4-3 victory after extra time to earn United a semifinal against EFL Championship side Coventry at Wembley next month.

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Ten Hag’s team have endured a disappointing season, but could still end the campaign with a trophy and a place in the Champions League.

“This could be the moment,” Ten Hag said after the win. “The team has the belief and energy to do amazing things. When you beat Liverpool you can beat any opponent.”

Ten Hag faces questions about his future following the arrival of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but the Dutchman says his players showed why he is the right man for the job with their performance against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

“The first 35 minutes, we showed again that the future of this team is very bright,” he said. “There is huge potential. We have to get it out and get consistency. The first 35 minutes was very pleasing. They are great characters and the determination we see again.

“This season we have so many setbacks and every time we have to adapt.”

Ten Hag also hailed match winner Amad, who was sent off during his goal celebrations after picking up a second booking for removing his shirt. The 21-year-old, who was linked with a loan move in January, has played only 88 minutes of football this season, but made a crucial impact as a late substitute against Liverpool.

“I am so happy for him,” Ten Hag said. “He is one of the players who had huge setbacks. He returned but there is a lot of competition in his position and he doesn’t always get the time he deserves to play.

“It shows his contribution in scoring a goal, but we know he can do it. I am very pleased he can do it.”

Thomas Tuchel has insisted he can fix the issues at Bayern Munich despite seeing his team lose their third consecutive competitive game for the first time since May 2015 on Sunday.

Bayern were beaten 3-2 at VfL Bochum to increase the pressure on the German manager, who was already under fire after last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

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Bayern are now eight points behind unbeaten Leverkusen after 22 games of the Bundesliga campaign.

“If you ask me, if I firmly still believe me and coaching staff can turn things around — yes,” Tuchel said after the defeat to Bochum.

“Growing pressure? That happens after every defeat. But today we never stopped, never stopped trying.”

Tuchel can take comfort from the comments made by Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen after the game when asked whether the 2021 Champions League winner would remain in charge for the team’s next game against RB Leipzig.

“Of course,” Dreesen said. “I am not a fan of monstrous coach-backing statements — they usually run out after a week.

“But this [Tuchel’s future] is not an issue we are dealing with at the moment. We have to focus on our next matches.”

Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka compared Bayern’s run of losses — to Leverkusen, Lazio in the Champions League and now Bochum — to a scary film.

“It feels like a horror movie that is not ending. Everything is going against us at the moment.” he said.

“We can again sit here and say we started well. But now you feel stupid to limit yourself to half an hour. In the end we tried everything, so you can’t blame us.”

Bayern’s defeat to Bochum was temporarily halted by fan protests against a proposed deal to sell a future stake in the league to a private equity investor.

“That interruption threw us off our rhythm. Today it was a win of mentality over quality,” Dreesen said.

“If we play this game five more times, we win it five times,” Tuchel added. “I don’t blame the players today.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

Second half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola secured Paris Saint-Germain a hard-fought 2-0 win over visitors Real Sociedad in the first-leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Wednesday.

Sociedad, who arrived at the Parc des Princes unbeaten in this year’s competition after topping Group D, were arguably the better side until Mbappe fired home a volley after he pounced onto Marquinhos’ corner to give PSG the lead in the 58th minute.

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Three minutes later, Barcola extended PSG’s lead as he nudged the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

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Mbappe’s goal was his 10th straight at home in the Champions League, as he became the first player to achieve the feat. 

The return leg in Spain is on March 5.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has rubbished suggestions Erling Haaland is unhappy at the club.

Haaland has been the subject of reports in Spain which have suggested the striker wants to end his stay at the Etihad Stadium because he dislikes Manchester and the weather in the city and secure a summer move to Real Madrid.

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But Guardiola believes the 23-year-old, who has returned to the team following two months out with a foot injury, is settled and is not looking to leave.

“I don’t know, you have to ask the media from Madrid,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.

“Maybe they have more info than we have. We don’t have that feeling that he’s unhappy. He was [unhappy] because he could not play for two months because he was injured but maybe the media from Spain, and especially Madrid, have more information than us.”

Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 goals last season to lead Guardiola’s side to a historic treble and has already got 19 in 23 games this term. He made his return from injury in the 3-1 win over Burnley on Wednesday, coming off the bench to play the final 20 minutes.

The 23-year-old is halfway through his second season at the Etihad, where he has a contract until 2027.

He has been continually linked with a move to Real Madrid since his time at Borussia Dortmund with reports that the Spanish giants would eventually like to sign both the Norway international and Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé, who could be a free agent at the end of the season.

“We cannot say he didn’t adapt quickly and he was not fine since he arrived — just the level he showed since he arrived on day one,” Guardiola said. “But we cannot control what people say. What’s important is he’s happy. And when he’s unhappy, he will take his decision.”

The winter transfer window hasn’t re-opened in Europe yet, but there are moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Real Madrid prioritise Varane amid injury crisis

Real Madrid are exploring the market for a potential signing at centre-back, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Los Blancos want to reinforce manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side after David Alaba sustained an ACL injury in the recent 4-1 league victory over Villarreal, and the latest indicates that they are now set to put together their shortlist before making a final decision.

The club went top of the LaLiga table on Thursday night after Lucas Vázquez’s late goal in the 92nd minute sealed victory over Alaves — but they lost another centre-back for their next game when Nacho was sent off in the second half.

Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane has been one of the names recently linked with a return to Spain’s capital as well as Girona’s on-loan Manchester City defender Yan Couto, but with the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy prioritising a cover option in the heart of the defence, it is Varane that could currently be higher up on his former club’s shortlist.

Brazil international Éder Militão also remains sidelined after sustaining an ACL injury back in August.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, reports Sky Sports. Spurs are said to have already made progress on a potential deal for the 23-year-old, and it is reported that the Blues’ stance in the summer to keep him at Stamford Bridge has now changed. Gallagher has featured in 16 Premier League games this season, and he was a standout performer in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Saturday.

– Juventus are preparing to move ahead of Internazionale in the race for Lille centre-back Tiago Djaló, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri are reported to have made an offer to sign the 23-year-old next month during a meeting with his representatives, with hopes of securing a move before he becomes a free agent next summer. It is believed that a deal worth €3 million plus bonuses could be enough for the Ligue 1 side to agree to part ways with him.

– A race between Napoli and Juventus could occur for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, reports Calciomercato. The Scudetto winners are the latest side to be linked with the 28-year-old Denmark international, as they continue to look for potential replacements for Eljif Elmas, who has been linked with a move away from the club. Hojbjerg has featured more of late amid several injuries in the Spurs squad, but interest in his signature will resurface in January.

– An offer worth in the region of €8m is being prepared by Internazionale amid hopes of landing Club Brugge wingback Tajon Buchanan, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. The 24-year-old Canada international is reported to have been identified as an ideal replacement for Juan Cuadrado, and the Nerazzurri are awaiting final approval from their hierarchy before making an official approach to sign him.

– Villarreal are considering a potential reunion with Besiktas centre-back Eric Bailly, according to Cadena Ser. The Yellow Submarine are believed to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements in January, and it is reported that they have already enquired with the 29-year-old’s representatives. Bailly has made just six league appearances in Turkey’s Super Lig this season.

Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 at Group F winners Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to secure second place and a spot in the Champions League knockout stage in their final group match.

Both sides squandered numerous golden chances in a surprisingly goalless first half before Karim Adeyemi finally broke the deadlock for the already-qualified hosts in the 51st minute, slotting in off the post after PSG lost possession outside the box.

– UCL round-of-16 draw: Seedings, date, details

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The visitors responded five minutes later, levelling through Warren Zaire-Emery after good work from Kylian Mbappe, who also had an effort ruled offside in the 76th.

Dortmund topped the group on 11 points with PSG in second place on eight, as many as third-placed AC Milan, who will continue in the Europa League following their 2-1 win at Newcastle United, who picked up five points.

“The primary objective was to go after first place in the group but we have to remain realistic,” said PSG defender Marquinhos.

“It was important to qualify no matter what. From now until the next round, we are going to have to prepare well and prepare better because big opponents will be on the way.

“It was important for us to improve our performance away from home,” he said after his team lost their previous two away matches in the group.”

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The hosts had the early chances, but PSG gradually found spaces and threatened with Lee Kang-in in the 16th minute and Mbappe’s effort which was cleared by Niklas Süle at the last moment a little later.

Bradley Barcola hit the post for the visitors with a superbly curled effort in the 20th and Randal Kolo Muani twice fired wide in one-on-ones with Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.

The Germans had an equally low conversion rate, with Marco Reus’s volley from inside the box palmed wide by PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Adeyemi had an even easier task in front of an empty goal late in the first half, but sent his effort over the bar.

The Germany forward made amends six minutes after the restart, turning in a Niclas Fullkrug assist and piling more pressure on the visitors who were desperate to avoid an early exit from the competition.

They drew level with Zaire-Emery’s powerful shot and thought they had snatched a winner when Mbappe charged through to beat Kobel only to be ruled marginally offside following a VAR review.

Erik ten Hag has backed under-fire André Onana by insisting the Manchester United goalkeeper is “the second best” in the Premier League.

Onana’s errors in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday cost United a much-needed win in the Champions League to leave Ten Hag’s team on the brink of an early exit.

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But speaking ahead of the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, the Dutchman highlighted the Cameroon international’s stats this season which include being ranked second in the Premier League for saves, save percentage and goals prevented.

“If you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday.

“He’s doing well but he knows that in the Champions League he has made some mistakes but all over in the first five months he has done well.”

Onana’s performance against Galatasaray has started a debate about whether the £43 million ($34m) summer signing from Inter Milan should be dropped for the game at St James’ Park.

It would mean handing a debut to Altay Bayindir, who hasn’t played a minute since arriving from Fenerbahce in August, but Ten Hag suggested that Onana will start against Newcastle.

“You have seen how he is reacting to a bad performance like in Munich and at Burnley [in the next game] he was outstanding,” Ten Hag said.

“He is a strong character. He’s a personality and he will deal with it.”

United’s poor form in the Champions League is in contrast to their form in the Premier League, where they’ve won five of their last six games.

Ten Hag will be without long-term absentees Casemiro and Lisandro Martínez for the game at Newcastle while Mason Mount remains a doubt with an injury picked up in training over the international break.

There are players on the way back but I can’t give a prognosis on how long it will take,” Ten Hag said.

“Mason Mount is returning on the pitch [on Friday] but I don’t know how long it will take in this moment.”

Erling Haaland is ready to face Liverpool in Manchester City’s Premier League top of the table clash on Saturday, sources have told ESPN, after returning to training following an injury setback on international duty.

Haaland, who leads the Premier League goal charts with 13 this season, injured his ankle during Norway’s friendly victory against the Faroe Islands last Thursday and was forced to withdraw from the squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Scotland due to the problem.

The Norway team doctor said that Haaland was in “so much pain” with the injury, which aggravated a similar problem sustained while playing against Bournemouth earlier this season.

But after returning to City for treatment at the beginning of this week, Haaland returned to training on Thursday to give manager Pep Guardiola a selection boost ahead of the meeting with second-placed Liverpool this weekend.

City’s official X account has this evening posted a picture of Haaland in action at the club’s training ground to highlight the 23-year-old’s return to fitness.

Guardiola is expected to give an update on Haaland’s recovery when he holds his prematch press conference on Friday.