For all his worth, Joao Cancelo stands out as one of the best attacking full-backs in the world. Despite being right-footed, the Portuguese defender has predominantly operated as a left full-back, a position he has mastered admirably, solidifying his status as one of the most dynamic players in Europe.
With his profound understanding of the game, Cancelo became a significant figure in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team following his transfer from Juventus in a player-swap deal involving Danilo. Unfortunately, despite their initial success, Cancelo and Pep eventually had a falling out, leading to speculation reminiscent of a Real Madrid-Barcelona saga.
Joao Cancelo revealed Madrid-Barca related conversation with Pepe
Joao Cancelo fell out hard with Pep Guardiola, who showed him who the boss was at City by benching him before sending him out on a season-long loan to Bayern Munich for the 2022-23 season. Cancelo played his heart out for the Bavarians, hoping to secure a permanent deal with them, as he no longer saw a future with City.
Unfortunately, a deal couldn’t be worked out, and he duly returned to England at the end of his loan. To lift him from his misery, Barcelona offered him another loan deal alongside fellow countryman Joao Felix, who was grappling with issues of his own at Atletico Madrid.
Cancelo joined the Catalans, and he’s been incredible playing under Xavi. Now, he has revealed his conversation with Pepe about the possibility of playing for Real Madrid.
“Pepe told me that I was a Real Madrid player, but I told him, ‘I am from Barcelona’. I am happy to be at Barcelona. It is the club I have always wanted to be at. After Benfica, it is the club I always loved,” Cancelo told Mundo Deportivo.
Joao Cancelo’s journey from Benfica to Barcelona
Joao Cancelo has had an incredible career at the top level of European football. He might not have believed he’d achieve everything he’s managed to achieve if anyone had told him when he was in the youth team of Benfica as a young boy who was just trying to play the game he loved.
Cancelo spent five years in the youth team before making his professional debut in 2014, the same season he was sent on loan to Valencia for the 2014/15 season. After an impressive season in La Liga, Cancelo earned himself a permanent contract with the Spanish club, where he played from 2015 to 2018, although he spent the 17/18 season on loan at Inter Milan.
Thanks to his versatility, Juventus approached Valencia at the end of his loan period with Inter Milan and lodged a $48 million bid. He won the league title in his only season at the Italian club. He moved to City the next summer, as Juventus accepted a $35 million bid for the defender, with Danilo moving to the opposite club as a part of the deal.
He has since played on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, where he currently plays. It’s been reported that the Catalans want to make his loan deal permanent at the end of the season, which will be a dream come true for the Portuguese defender.
