Joao Cancelo has spoken candidly about the influence that losing his mother has had on his career.
The new Manchester City signing was an 18-year-old playing for Benfica B when he was involved in a car accident that left him and his brother with minor injuries and took the life of his mum, who was driving.
Having moved on from Benfica to Valencia before spells at Inter Milan and Juventus, the 25-year-old has now arrived at the Etihad for £60m with eyes on unseating Kyle Walker from the City team .
The competition in the squad will motivate him for his new challenge, but Cancelo will always be influenced by his mum.
"My mum is always the base of my life," he said with emotion at his first press conference as a Blue.
"When I lost her I was determined to make my dream come true. I've been in four different clubs in four years always improving, fighting to be the best I can and I think I can achieve this here."
The right-back also spoke about his previous coach Max Allegri, the man who he worked with at Juventus who is respected as one of the best in the game.
"I think they are different," he said when asked for comparisons with Pep Guardiola. "The Italian style is not like Pep's - both are great managers. I learn from Allegri but everyone talks about Pep. I accept the challenge and hopefully he will make me a better player."
