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Portugal’s public service broadcaster RTP featured an interview with Manchester City right-back João Cancelo on Tuesday.

With him ready to play for the national team against Croatia this weekend, he talked a little about the League of Nations and their challenges ahead.

There was also some time to speak about Manchester City and his first year under the management of Pep Guardiola.

“Guardiola had a huge impact because I have evolved a lot this year with him,” Cancelo told RTP.

“He’s a coach that I admire for a long time, since that Barcelona team that was known for tiki-taka. Of course it weighed in on my decision.”

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With the world media saying Manchester City are leading the race for Lionel Messi, João Cancelo was asked about it, and insisted the Argentine star would fit in great at the Premier League side.

“He’s a great player, I won’t say that he’s not. He’s a great player. And in a team like Manchester City, of course, also with great players on his side, he’d have a great season.”

João Cancelo was also quizzed about the return of Jorge Jesus to Benfica, the club he supports. The right-back only had the chance to make two appearances for them, with only one being played at home, which was a cup game. That’s why he expects to return to the club at some point.

“Not only for Jorge Jesus or another coach who’s been at Benfica, or one who hasn’t. What is at stake is the club. I want to play for Benfica. When I came to see a game at Estádio da Luz, I felt empty because I hadn’t played at Estádio da Luz with 60,000 people watching the game. In the future I hope to wear the Benfica jersey.”