At a glance
- Joao Cancelo is currently enjoying a highly successful second loan spell at FC Barcelona.
- It will end with him a La Liga champion.
- After June 30, however, the Portuguese full back’s future is uncertain.
Joao Cancelo has pushed for a permanent move to FC Barcelona by calling the Catalan club “perfect” for him to ESPN.
Many Culers winced when learning Cancelo would return to the club for a second loan spell at the turn of 2026.
That’s because memories were still fresh of a chaotic, trophyless 2023/2024 under Xavi Hernandez. On Hansi Flick’s watch, however, Cancelo has been reborn with his two goals and six assists playing a part in Barca currently being 11 points clear at the La Liga summit.
Naturally, Cancelo wants his temporary loan from Al-Hilal to become permanent and reflected on his sophomore campaign to ESPN.
“In January I didn’t arrive in my best physical condition, as I said, and it was a bit difficult to recover the level I expected,” Cancelo confessed.
“But I made it, then everything flowed naturally and I was able to start in many games. I also think the team paved the way for me, because this team, Barça, is perfect for me, perfect for my style of play, and I think that made things a lot easier for me. I want to win La Liga, since I couldn’t in my first spell,” the 31-year-old added.
Cancelo isn’t thinking much about personal records
A lot is being made of Cancelo becoming the first player to win the English, German, Italian and then Spanish top flight titles. As a team player, though, Cancelo is more concerned about the collective than individual achievements.
“I don’t think much about this record of having won several important leagues, and I don’t want to downplay the importance of the appreciation I feel for any team I have been in throughout my career,” Cancelo said. “I love all the stages of my career. But as I said, Barcelona holds a special place in my heart. Because as a child I dreamed of playing here, and I think winning La Liga would be the icing on the cake, and that’s what I hope to achieve this season.”
Like Raphinha, Cancelo also knows how special it would be to become victorious against the eternal enemy in El Clasico on Sunday.
“I think winning the league against Real Madrid would have a different flavour, because it shows which team was the most consistent throughout the season. But in the end, whether it’s against Real Madrid or any other team, what I want is to win the title and add a new trophy to my career,” he said.
“As you know, El Clásico is a very important match for both teams. I think it’s a beautiful rivalry that the fans enjoy watching, and we’ll be looking for the three points we need to get the title we want.”
On Sunday at the Spotify Camp Nou, Cancelo is guaranteed to start at left back for the Blaugrana while Alejandro Balde continues on the bench as a consequence.
