“I might cry” – Portugal’s João Cancelo delighted to make Barcelona return | OneFootball

Cancelo is back at Barca (Getty Images)

Portuguese international João Cancelo is a Barcelona player once again, after signing a six-month loan deal to return to Spain from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

Cancelo, who spent a season on-loan at Barcelona from Manchester City in the 2023-24 campaign, had found himself keen to leave Al Hilal this winter having seen playing time reduced by registration issues. Barcelona confirmed the former Benfica man will wear the no.2 shirt at Camp Nou.

“I didn’t think twice about coming back when the chance came up,” Cancelo said at his presentation on Tuesday, where he was joined by Barcelona sporting director and former Portugal star Deco. “I told everyone I would wait for Barça. Representing this Club is an honour, it’s the best in the world. The only club in the word to give me goosebumps when signing.

“Anyone who knows me knows that all my idols played here. What I feel for this club is very special. I didn’t win a trophy in my first spell and that’s what I want now.”

A source of particular pride for Cancelo will be the chance to play at the redeveloped Camp Nou stadium. The team were playing their games elsewhere during Cancelo’s first spell at the club, where he made 42 appearances, while the iconic venue was being refurbished. The Seleção man admits the prospect of running out at the Catalan’s famous home will likely make him emotional.

“As a visiting player, I don’t have very good memories of Camp Nou,” he said. “I want to have the experience of playing in the stadium. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. When I saw Dani Alves playing there, I wanted to do what he did. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. When I was at Valencia I had the opportunity to come, but it didn’t happen.

“It will be a unique feeling [to play there] because I have been waiting for so long. I might cry, I probably will, because it’s something I wanted for a long time.

“Almost all my idols were from Barcelona. I played for Benfica in the youth teams against Barcelona teams. I identify a lot with the club’s culture. I only played one season, but today I came back and felt at home when I entered the locker room.”

With his return to Europe, Cancelo continues a glittering career path which has taken in some of the continent’s best-known clubs. Since leaving Benfica, the 31-year-old has appeared for Valencia, Inter, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, before heading to Saudi Arabia, amassing nine career trophies at club level.

By Sean Gillen