At a glance
- FC Barcelona chose Joao Cancelo to attend a prematch press conference to preview Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid.
- The Portuguese is in fine form, and Flick’s first-choice left back.
- He’s expected to start at the Spotify Camp Nou in Alejandro’s place.
Barcelona full back Joao Cancelo sent a defiant message to his doubters ahead of the Catalans’ Champions League quarterfinal showdown with Atletico Madrid.
Many Culers let out groans upon hearing that Cancelo joined the club for a second loan spell in the January transfer window. Against expectations, however, the veteran has been rejuvenated under Hansi Flick and is now one of the La Liga leaders’ top performers.
Asked if Flick had “changed his life” at a press conference to preview the UCL last eight first leg, Cancelo called the German “a very good person”.
“He’s very close to the players. He’s introduced this dynamic of aggressiveness and that makes him a coach different from the others,” Cancelo added.
Cancelo is his own greatest backer
As Reshad Rahman reported, FC Barcelona are currently working out a deal that keeps Cancelo in Catalonia permanently.
Asked about this, Cancelo, who is tied down until mid-2027, responded: “There are always options”.
“I have a contract with Al-Hilal, but there are always options. Let’s see what happens between now and the end of the season because as I said anything can always happen. When I arrived they told me that I was finished and in the end football is like that. It’s time to keep working like my teammates and in the end we’ll see.
On whether he is surprised with his displays, Cancelo stated that “there’s no one in the world who trusts me more than myself”.
“No one knows my battles or what I’ve been through, only me and my family. I believe in myself a lot,” he added, in a nod to losing his mother in a car accident.
Barcelona are wise to push for Cancelo
Valued at just €15 million, Cancelo is a bargain for Barca found nowhere else on the market.
For that staggeringly low price, Flick obtains a player that can operate on either flank as a full-back and also more advanced as a winger.
When he does the latter, Barca’s back line often becomes a back three with Gerard Martin moving over the left. Eric Garcia also provides more central cover too, allowing Cancelo to run wild at defences.
Against Atleti, Cancelo’s certain to start in Alejandro Balde‘s place, as the La Masia struggles to reclaim a starting role.
