Cancelo returns to Barcelona

elhiwardz2 weeks ago

0 18 1 minute read

FC Barcelona agreed with its Saudi counterpart, Al Hilal, to include its Portuguese player Joao Cancelo in a loan deal until the end of the season.

Cancelo appeared with club president Joan Laporta, carrying a blue and red shirt in the photos published by the Catalan club.

The contract ceremony was attended by the most prominent members of the management office, such as Vice President Rafa Yuste and Portuguese Football Director Deco.

The rebellious player

Senior coaches did not disagree on the talent of the Portuguese full-back, which is evident in the path his professional career took, as he passed through the most prestigious clubs of the old continent.

In contrast, Cancelo’s erratic behavior posed problems in dealing with him inside the locker room.

Inter, Juventus and Manchester City were forced to abandon the player, at the request of coaches such as Luciano Spalletti, Max Allegri and Pep Guardiola.

The scene was repeated in the player’s Gulf experience, as he clashed with another coach who has a strong personality, the Italian Simone Inzaghi.

Cancelo appeared in one of the matches protesting against the former Inter coach, after he replaced him in the last minutes.

The player linked to Al Hilal until 2027 will find no other solution than to adhere to and respect the instructions of his new coach, the German Hansi Flick, upon his return to Barcelona.

Cancelo previously carried the Blaugrana colors in the 2023/2024 season, during the period of coach Xavi Hernandez.

The graduate of the Portuguese club Benfica’s training center appeared in 42 matches, during which he managed to score four goals and provide five assists.

While he did not win any title, unlike his other experiences in the Portuguese, Italian, English and German leagues, where he lifted 14 titles, most notably the Champions League with a City shirt in 2023.