Ex-Benfica player on João Cancelo’s move to Barcelona: top level | OneFootball

Norton de Matos, João Cancelo's first coach in a senior context, believes that the Portuguese international's choice to return to Barcelona is primarily a sporting one. According to the coach, at 31 years old, Cancelo remains focused on competing at the highest level, something that, in his view, European football guarantees better than the Saudi league, despite the strong financial investment made in that country.

"Saudi Arabia is fantastic, financially, but its league cannot yet be considered high level. And for players like João, who have already achieved a certain economic independence, they are left with the desire to continue playing at the highest level. Saudi Arabia is not high level... yet," notes the coach, who, "many years ago," turned down a Saudi offer because he felt there wasn't the competitiveness he considers essential.

"João has extraordinary maturity. If, at 17, he was already one of the best in the world, today, at 31, he remains at a top level worldwide," he argues, adding: "Football needs players like João Cancelo, players who create, who have spontaneity and unpredictability. He is an out-of-the-box player, as he finds solutions where others cannot. In such a 'standardized', so tied-up football, players like João are essential, they bring spectators to the stadium."

The former Guinea-Bissau coach, trying to find an explanation for why Saudi football is not yet so competitive, reiterates: "Despite the openness shown in recent years, that environment is very specific. There are families that cannot adapt. Therefore, there are footballers who are in England and, faced with incredible offers, refuse to go because they want to be in Europe and know that Europe has the best football in the world. Highly competitive games every week, in well-organized leagues, with fantastic players."

Finally, Norton de Matos highlighted one last aspect that likely influenced João Cancelo's decision to switch from Al Hilal to Barcelona - the World Cup next summer. "He will want to arrive at the World Cup in the best possible shape, physically, technically, and mentally. This is only achieved by playing regularly. Something that was not happening. To go in optimal conditions, he has to play, it's not enough to train and stay out. Playing at Barcelona, he will reach the World Cup top in physical condition and top in mental condition," assures the experienced coach, concluding with more praise for his former pupil.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.