João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo, born on May 27, 1994, is a Portuguese footballer known for playing as a full-back.
Right now, he’s with Barcelona in La Liga, on loan from Manchester City. He also plays for Portugal’s national team.
Cancelo is famous for being super versatile and is considered one of the best full-backs in the world. People love his creativity, speed, and how accurately he passes the ball.
Full name: João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo | |
Date of birth: 27 May 1994 (age 29) | |
Place of birth: Barreiro, Portugal | |
Height: 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | |
Position(s): Full-back |
Current team: Barcelona (on loan from Manchester City) | |
Number: 2 |
2002–2007 Barreirense | |
2007–2012 Benfica |
2012–2014 Benfica B | |
2014–2015 Benfica | |
2014–2015 → Valencia (loan) | |
2015–2018 Valencia | |
2017–2018 → Inter Milan (loan) | |
2018–2019 Juventus | |
2019– Manchester City | |
2023 → Bayern Munich (loan) | |
2023 → Barcelona (loan) |
2010 Portugal U16 | |
2010–2011 Portugal U17 | |
2011–2012 Portugal U18 | |
2012–2013 Portugal U19 | |
2013–2014 Portugal U20 | |
2014–2017 Portugal U21 | |
2016– Portugal |
Cancelo’s Football Journey: Benfica to Barcelona
After honing his skills in Benfica’s youth program, Cancelo made his debut for their reserve team in 2012. Within just a couple of years, he earned a promotion to the senior squad.
His journey then took him on loan to Valencia in Spain for the 2014-2015 season, and soon after, he secured a permanent transfer to the club in 2015.
The 2017-2018 season saw Cancelo shine while on loan at Inter Milan in Italy, where his stellar performances earned him a spot in Serie A’s Team of the Year.
Juventus, impressed by his talent, swooped in and signed him in 2018 for a hefty fee of around €40.4 million. During his time with Juventus, Cancelo celebrated both league glory and victory in the Supercoppa Italiana during his very first season with the club.
In 2019, the Premier League giants Manchester City secured the signature of João Cancelo. Since then, he’s been a force to reckon with, clinching three Premier League titles and the EFL Cup with the club.
But it’s not just about the domestic success; Cancelo played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s journey to their maiden UEFA Champions League final during the 2020–21 season.
On January 31, 2023, Cancelo made a bold move to Bayern Munich on loan until the season’s end, with an option for Bayern to buy him for a staggering €70 million (£61.6 million).
Reports surfaced that he clashed with manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City due to a lack of game time, especially after losing his starting spot to Nathan Aké and Rico Lewis following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Tensions reached a breaking point when Cancelo found himself on the bench for the third consecutive game, prompting his departure from Manchester City on loan.
Cancelo’s Bayern debut was nothing short of impressive, providing an assist in a 4–0 victory over Mainz 05 in the DFB-Pokal. His first goal for the club came on March 11 in a thrilling 5–3 Bundesliga win against Augsburg. However, a bittersweet moment awaited him when Bayern faced Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Despite being booed by some City fans, Guardiola defended Cancelo, highlighting his past contributions to the club. Unfortunately, Bayern was eliminated from the tournament, and Cancelo’s loan spell ended without Bayern opting to activate his buy-out clause.
In the 2023–24 season, Cancelo sought a fresh start and found it at La Liga powerhouse Barcelona. Despite a rocky transfer window, Cancelo made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Osasuna and earning the La Liga Goal of the Month award for his strike against Real Betis.
His standout performances continued, with crucial goals and assists, including a memorable contribution against his former club Porto in the Champions League group stage, securing Barcelona’s spot in the round of sixteen.
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Cancelo’s International Journey: From Debut to World Cup Trials
Cancelo’s journey with Portugal began in 2016 when he earned his first senior cap, having already showcased his talent across all youth levels.
Over the years, he amassed an impressive 75 caps and netted three goals for his country. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Portugal’s under-21 team that advanced to the final of the 2015 UEFA European Championship.
His international success continued as he was selected for Portugal’s squad in the historic 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals, held in their own backyard. Cancelo and his teammates made history by clinching the inaugural edition of the tournament, cementing his legacy in Portuguese football.
In October 2022, he earned a spot in Portugal’s initial 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, ultimately making it into the final 26-man roster for the tournament.
While he initially took the field for Portugal’s group stage battles, a spell of poor performance saw him replaced by Diogo Dalot for the round of 16 clash against Switzerland, which Portugal won convincingly with a 6–1 victory. The pattern repeated in the quarter-finals against Morocco, with Cancelo warming the bench as Portugal suffered a 1–0 defeat.
Cancelo: Overcoming Challenges
In January 2013, tragedy struck as Cancelo’s mother, Filomena, lost her life in a car accident on the A2 motorway in Seixal. Despite being in the car at the time, Cancelo and his brother emerged with minor injuries. The loss took an immense emotional toll on Cancelo, leading him to contemplate retiring from football.
In a brighter moment, Cancelo and his girlfriend, Daniela Machado, welcomed their daughter into the world in 2019. However, their peace was shattered on December 30, 2021, when their home in Manchester was burglarized by four individuals. In the ensuing struggle, Cancelo sustained facial injuries while defending himself, but thankfully, his family remained unharmed.
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Cancelo: The Dynamic Playmaker with Versatile Style
Cancelo is renowned for his lightning speed, boundless energy, and attacking prowess. His technical prowess, dribbling finesse, and knack for creativity and precise crossing make him a formidable force on the field. While primarily deployed as a full-back or winger on the right flank, his versatility allows him to excel in either role.
During his stint at Manchester City, Cancelo earned recognition as one of Europe’s top full-backs, though critiques have surfaced regarding his tactical awareness and defensive positioning.
In Guardiola’s system, Cancelo evolved into a hybrid player, seamlessly transitioning between full-back and central midfield roles within the same match.
This tactical innovation allowed City to overload central areas and exploit opposing defenses with Cancelo’s daring passes and creative flair.
Whether driving forward from deep positions or orchestrating play from midfield, Cancelo’s dynamic presence enhances City’s attacking threat while bolstering defensive solidity.
Cancelo’s Achievements and Awards
Benfica:
- Grabbed the Portuguese League Title: 2013–14
Juventus:
- Secured the Serie A Title: 2018–19
- Clinched the Italian Super Cup: 2018
Manchester City:
- Dominated with Premier League Titles: 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- Triumphed in the EFL Cup: 2020–21
- Reached the UEFA Champions League Runner-up: 2020–21
Bayern Munich:
- Seized the Bundesliga Title: 2022–23
Portugal U21:
- Made it to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Runner-up: 2015
Portugal:
- Triumphed in the UEFA Nations League: 2018–19
Individual:
- Named in Serie A Team of the Year: 2017–18, 2018–19
- Recognized in PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
- Included in ESM Team of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
- Featured in UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football Team of the Season: 2021–22
- Honored in FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2022
- Scored La Liga Goal of the Month: September 2023
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Joao Cancelo’s Financial Snapshot
- Net Worth: £7.1 million ($8.09 million) in 2024
- Market Value: €65.00 million
- Contract: Five years remaining, with £65 million gross
- Salary: £13 million gross for the 2022-2023 season, with a weekly wage of £250,000
Endorsements:
- Nike-sponsored athlete, wearing the Nike Mercurial Vapor 14 Elite boots for the 2022-2023 season.
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