Joao Cancelo to Al-Hilal: The end of the road for a forgotten talent
The move to Al-Hilal marks a new chapter in Joao Cancelo's career, but also raises many questions about the future of one of the world's best full-backs at one time.
The unhappy ending of a fairy tale
When joining Man City in 2019, Joao Cancelo was considered one of the team's most promising signings.
With his skillful technique, excellent dribbling ability and sharp tactical vision, the Portuguese defender quickly asserted his position in Pep Guardiola's squad.
However, the relationship between Cancelo and Guardiola began to crack from the beginning of 2023. Disagreements over tactics and fierce competition from young players gradually caused Cancelo to lose his official position. The continuous loan to Bayern Munich and Barcelona further showed that his future at Etihad was over.
Al-Hilal: New destination, new challenge
The move to Al-Hilal is a huge step forward for Cancelo, as he will be playing alongside big stars like Neymar, Ruben Neves and Koulibaly in Saudi Arabia. However, moving to a less competitive league will also mean that Cancelo will miss out on Champions League football and other major tournaments.
