Earlier at this time, FC Barcelona announced the signing of Joao Cancelo, with the 32-year-old defender returning as a free agent after terminating his contract at Al Hilal.
Having spent the second half of the final season on mortgage on the Spotify Camp Nou, Cancelo made such an enormous impression that the Catalans needed to convey him again, this time completely.
Negotiations with Al Hilal weren’t straightforward, however the participant’s willingness to return to the membership in the end proved essential.
Hansi Flick welcomes Cancelo again
Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona, needed Cancelo again after the Portuguese defender’s robust performances throughout his mortgage spell on the finish of final season.
The German coach was very glad with the full-back’s degree and, after his return was confirmed, he welcomed the veteran star again.
🎙️ Hansi Flick sobre el fichaje de Cancelo pic.twitter.com/8ahOeM2wtU
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 20, 2026
“Final season, when he arrived, I feel he wanted somewhat time to adapt. However ultimately he gave us many choices and a number of high quality in assault, and he additionally carried out very effectively defensively,” mentioned the Barcelona supervisor.
“That’s exactly what I anticipate from him: defence, as a result of he’s a full-back. He has to defend very effectively, however what he may give us in assault is extraordinary.”
Cancelo’s numbers final season
Whereas he had a sluggish begin beneath Flick, Cancelo ultimately picked up his tempo and went on to turn into the first-choice starter at left-back forward of Alejandro Balde.
Flick gave Cancelo loads of confidence, and the Portuguese responded emphatically.
The total-back performed 23 matches, most of them on the left aspect of the defence, scoring two targets and offering three assists. That optimistic report earned him a return to Spotify Camp Nou.
Pending his registration with La Liga, Cancelo is in rivalry to turn into Barça’s beginning left-back once more this season and can present important competitors throughout the squad.
For now, it’s unlikely that he will likely be beginning this weekend in opposition to Elche, having solely joined the membership and never had sufficient coaching with the remainder of the squad.
