Tragic death of Joao Cancelo’s mother made him leader of his family at 18: “that made me grow up”

Joao Cancelo has had a resurgence in his career after a loan move to Barcelona saw him get back to his best form. The right back has already experienced much success in soccer, becoming one of the best in his position for quite some time. He has played for the likes of Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and now Barcelona, the biggest clubs in Europe.

It is safe to say that he made quite a name for himself in the sport. But the struggle behind his success is largely unknown, with a tragic past motivating him to become a leader at a young age.

Joao Cancelo’s tragedy spurred him to success

Joao Cancelo was only 18 when he was afflicted with a great tragedy. At the time, in 2013, he was only playing for the B team for Benfica and trying hard to make it into the first team. His mother, Filomena, tragically passed away after being in a fatal car accident.

Being only 18 at the time, their whole family dropped off their father at the airport. While returning home, their car was involved in the car accident that claimed their mother. Luckily, Joao and his brother Pedro survived with minor injuries.

His mother had helped him in the early years of his youth career, and when she died, he knew that to honor her, he must succeed to make her proud. Joao Cancelo described how he had to take the reins of the family then. “I had to be the leader of my family. That made me grow up. I had to set an example for my brother, and I had to show my father that I was there for them.”

He further stated that he took his soccer dreams more seriously after the death of his mother. “I gave it my all, I had no choice. This faith comes from my mum. She is my greatest example because she fought all her life, and she worked hard. She is the person I idolise the most, without a doubt, and I believe that she blesses my steps and my journey every day.”

Joao Cancelo on Pep Guardiola’s role in his development

Joao Cancelo may have played for many big clubs, but it was Manchester City that actually put him in the global spotlight. After Pep Guardiola took him on his team, the right back became one of the best in the world in his position and became highly rated.

He developed into a different role, which allowed him to become versatile and score more. He was crucial to Guardiola’s team and helped their Premier League title wins. Cancelo recently attributed his development to Pep, who often brings out the best in players. He said, “Pep made me look at football differently. I remember a period where our results weren’t good.”

He then described how Pep decided to transform him into a new player, and thought him to become his best version. “Pep said: ‘We’re going to play with inverted full-backs’ and I said: ‘Coach, I don’t know how to play that way. I’ve never done it.’ And he said: ‘I’ll teach you.’ After training, I’d stay with him doing basic things that seemed like child’s play, but I’d go into the game, and it all flowed, you know?”

He also attributed Pep’s winning mentality as helping him, making him more competitive than before. “I think the consistency he has as a coach, the mentality he gives his players, that winning mentality… I’ve always loved winning, I’ve always been very competitive, but I think with him I became much more than I already was.”

While Guardiola may have brought out the best in him, their relationship got strained after the Portuguese got limited game time last season. This followed a loan deal to Bayern Munich, and now to Barcelona. City are already prepared to let go of the player as soon as possible.

Joao Cancelo may have had a tough beginning to the soccer world, that could have ended many young players’ dreams. It is thanks to his mother’s memory that fullback has managed to reach the best version of himself.