Cancelo waited for Barça call as other clubs circled
Portuguese full-back reveals he turned down other offers when Deco phoned, as he returns to Barcelona on loan from Saudi side Al Hilal until season's end.
Joao Cancelo has revealed he put other offers on ice when Barcelona came calling, insisting he was prepared to wait for the Catalan giants to secure his return.
Blaugrana in the blood
The Portuguese full-back, who’s just completed his loan move from Saudi club Al Hilal until June, made it crystal clear where his heart lies during his (re)unveiling at Barcelona.
“When Deco called me, I told him I’d wait for Barça,” Cancelo admitted, highlighting how he prioritised a return to Camp Nou despite interest from elsewhere.
The 29-year-old’s connection to Barcelona runs deeper than his previous loan spell. He revealed that many of his footballing idols donned the famous garnet and blue, naming Dani Alves and Ronaldinho among those who inspired him.
“Almost all my idols played for Barça. That’s what made me wait for Barcelona,” he explained.
Ready to roll
Despite being sidelined in Saudi Arabia due to foreign player registration limits after a September injury, Cancelo insists he’s match-fit and raring to go:
- Maintained training with Al Hilal’s squad
- Kept sharp with Portugal national team sessions
- “I’m ready to play” - his verdict on fitness levels
Camp Nou dreams
Emotions ran high as Cancelo spoke about the prospect of playing at the Spotify Camp Nou as a Barcelona player rather than an opponent.
“The first thing I told my girlfriend was how much I wanted to play at Camp Nou as a Barça player,” he revealed, even suggesting he might shed tears when the moment arrives.
Youth connection
Cancelo seems particularly excited about linking up with Barcelona’s emerging stars, especially Lamine Yamal:
“If he’s not the best, he’s in the top three. He has a heavy number on his back but it doesn’t weigh him down. I think we’ll have a very good connection.”
The defender has already reconnected with several young talents including Pau Cubarsí, Fermín, and Ronald Araújo, describing the group atmosphere as “spectacular”.
Title hunger
Unfinished business appears to be driving Cancelo, who didn’t lift any silverware during his previous Barcelona stint.
“Barcelona is a winning club that lives for trophies. I wasn’t lucky enough to win when I was here before,” he admitted, making it clear that helping deliver trophies is a primary motivation this time around.
While his loan doesn’t include a purchase option and he remains contracted to Al Hilal, Cancelo is focused solely on making an impact in the remainder of the season.