João Cancelo (Part 1)

João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo, born on May 27, 1994, is a highly esteemed Portuguese professional footballer renowned for his versatility and skill as a full-back. Currently plying his trade for La Liga giants Barcelona on loan from Premier League side Manchester City, Cancelo is also a key figure in the Portugal national team setup.
Cancelo's footballing journey began in the esteemed youth academy of Portuguese giants Benfica. After honing his skills in the club's youth setup, he made his way into the first team, having impressed in the reserve team. However, his breakthrough came when he secured a loan move to La Liga outfit Valencia during the 2014–15 season. Subsequently, Cancelo's move to Valencia was made permanent in 2015, where he continued to showcase his immense talent on the field.


His performances in Spain caught the attention of Serie A clubs, leading to a loan spell at Inter Milan during the 2017–18 season. Cancelo's exceptional displays for Inter earned him a spot in the Serie A Team of the Year, further solidifying his reputation as one of the top full-backs in the world. Following his successful loan stint, Cancelo made a high-profile move to Italian powerhouse Juventus in 2018 for a reported fee of €40.4 million. In his debut season with Juventus, Cancelo tasted domestic success, winning the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana. In 2019, Cancelo ventured into the Premier League, signing with Manchester City. Since joining the English club, he has been instrumental in their success, contributing to three Premier League titles and an EFL Cup triumph. Notably, Cancelo played a pivotal role in Manchester City's journey to their first-ever UEFA Champions League final during the 2020–21 season.


On the international stage, Cancelo made his senior debut for Portugal in 2016, having previously represented the nation at various youth levels. He has amassed an impressive tally of 75 caps for his country, showcasing his talent and commitment to the national team. Cancelo's achievements with Portugal include being part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019, adding to his accolades at both club and international level.
João Cancelo, born in Barreiro, Setúbal District, began his football journey with his local club Barreirense. However, at the age of 13, he caught the eye of scouts from Benfica and joined the prestigious club's youth system in 2007.


Cancelo's talent quickly became evident as he progressed through the ranks at Benfica, primarily playing as a full-back. On July 28, 2012, he made his debut for Benfica's first team in a friendly match against Gil Vicente, showcasing his abilities as a right-back by playing the full 90 minutes. Despite initially being registered with the reserve team, Cancelo's impressive performances led to speculation that he could potentially succeed Maxi Pereira in the senior squad.
During his time at Benfica, Cancelo continued to excel, representing both the reserve team and the junior squads. His breakthrough moment came on May 18, 2013, when he scored two crucial goals in a 2–1 victory over Rio Ave, helping Benfica win the national championship.


Cancelo made his competitive debut for Benfica's first team on January 25, 2014, appearing as a late substitute in a 1–0 victory against Gil Vicente in the Taça da Liga. Subsequently, he made his Primeira Liga debut on May 10, 2014, starting in a 2–1 defeat against Porto in the highly anticipated O Clássico, despite Benfica already having secured the league title.
His performances for Benfica paved the way for his future success both domestically and internationally, as he continued to establish himself as one of the most promising full-backs in Portuguese football.


On August 20, 2014, João Cancelo embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining Valencia on a one-year loan deal, which included an option for Valencia to purchase him permanently for €15 million. Despite his economic rights being owned by Peter Lim, a loan arrangement was made to facilitate his move to Valencia, given Lim's ownership of the club.
Cancelo made his La Liga debut for Valencia on September 25, 2014, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 victory over Córdoba. Initially serving as a substitute, he gradually earned more playing time and showcased his versatility by occasionally featuring on the right wing. His standout performances, particularly against Levante on April 12, 2015, where he was awarded the man of the match, demonstrated his growing importance to the team.
Throughout the season, Cancelo competed for the right-back position with Antonio Barragán and made a total of 13 appearances across all competitions. Despite being the second-choice right-back, his contributions played a part in Valencia's qualification for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League.


On May 25, 2015, Cancelo committed his future to Valencia by agreeing to a permanent contract until June 30, 2021, for a transfer fee of €15 million. This solidified his position at the club and reflected the confidence that Valencia had in his abilities.
The following season saw Cancelo establish himself as a regular starter for Valencia. He made his debut in the UEFA Champions League on September 16, 2015, and marked the occasion by scoring his first goal for Valencia in a 2–3 home defeat against Zenit Saint Petersburg. This achievement made him the fifth youngest scorer in Valencia's history in the Champions League.


Cancelo continued to impress, scoring his first Copa del Rey goal on December 2, 2015, in a 3–1 victory over Barakaldo. Despite Valencia's eventual elimination from the tournament, Cancelo's performances showcased his attacking prowess and versatility.
In the league, Cancelo scored his first goal on April 20, 2016, in a 4–0 win over Eibar at the Mestalla Stadium. His contributions on both ends of the pitch further solidified his status as one of Valencia's key players during the season.
During the 2016–17 season, João Cancelo's performances experienced some fluctuations, initially encountering difficulties which led to errors, notably conceding a penalty in Valencia's first league match, a 2–4 loss against Las Palmas. However, Cancelo showed resilience and determination to overcome these challenges.


As the season progressed, Cancelo's performances gradually improved, earning him more opportunities under the guidance of new coach Cesare Prandelli. Prandelli's tactical adjustments saw Cancelo deployed in a new role on the right-wing, where his attacking qualities could be utilized effectively.
Despite being initially scrutinized for his defensive errors, Cancelo's adaptability and improved form saw him become a mainstay in the starting lineup. He showcased versatility by alternating between the right-back and right-wing positions throughout the season, demonstrating his ability to contribute effectively in different roles.

References

1.  "Comunicato ufficiale N. 59" [Official press release No. 59] (PDF) (in Italian). Lega Serie A. 2 October 2018. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
2. a b c "João Cancelo: Overview". Premier League. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
3. ^ "João Cancelo: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
4. ^ White, Mark; updated, Ed McCambridgeContributions from Ryan Dabbs last (10 March 2023). "Ranked! The 10 best right-backs in the world". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
5. ^ "Man City star Joao Cancelo has risen to become one of the world's best full-backs | All Football". m.allfootballapp.com. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
6. ^ "Benfica também lucra com a transferência de Cancelo" [Benfica also profit from Cancelo's transfer]. Record (in Portuguese). 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
7. ^ Gomes, José Pedro (28 July 2012). "Nélson Oliveira e Cancelo titulares" [Nélson Oliveira and Cancelo start]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
8. ^ Lousada Oliveira, Otávio; Fernandes, Nuno (24 July 2012). "Vieira confirma João Cancelo para a lateral-direita" [Vieira confirms João Cancelo for right-back]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
9. ^ "Benfica garante título nacional de juniores com "bis" de João Cancelo" [Benfica confirm national juniors title with brace from João Cancelo]. Expresso (in Portuguese). 18 May 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
10. ^ "Sulejmani manteve o Benfica vitorioso" [Sulejmani kept Benfica victorious]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
11. a b Ruela, João (10 May 2014). "FC Porto bate Benfica sob avaliação de Lopetegui" [FC Porto beat Benfica as Lopetegui looks on]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2016.