Fans divided after Joao Cancelo avoids walking on Manchester City badge

Joao Cancelo didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes from the Manchester City fans during their Champions League fixture with Bayern Munich.

The Portuguese fullback returned to his former stomping ground after suddenly leaving the English side in the January transfer window.

The clues suggested that things hadn't ended on the healthiest terms between the player and the manager, but there was still a chance of him coming back in the summer.

But it seems as though the Cityzen’s fans aren’t too fond of the idea of having him back after they booed him as he came off the bench.

However, those feelings didn’t seem to be reciprocated by the 28-year-old who showed his respect to the team before the game.

UEFA cameras caught the former Premier League champion arriving at the ground and heading into the stadium.

The video showed Cancelo avoiding the Manchester City badge which was printed into the carpet, going out of his way to not step on the emblem.

The subtle act was supposed to come off as a sign of respect from the former player, but many online seemed puzzled.

Respect 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/vmWSVEudEL

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 11, 2023

One fan said: “There is absolutely nothing disrespectful about walking over a badge in the carpet ffs.”

Another wrote: “If you think it's disrespectful to step on your logo, don't put it on the ground and dont make it take up 80 per cent of the width.”

A third commented: “If stepping on the club logo is disrespectful then why do they put it on the floor?”

A fourth added: “Probably works the opposite way. Imagine the hate he would get if he walked over it. Football Twitter is weird like that.”

Whether or not it was an attempt to get the City fans back onside, it certainly did work in Cancelo’s favour.

Cancelo was booed by the home fans as he came on, despite technically still being their player and having helped them win two league titles and reach their only Champions League final so far.

And things didn't get better for him every time he touched the ball, with fans around the Etihad continuing their verbal assault on him.