João Cancelo: “It Was Barça or Nothing” Even If It Meant a Year Without Playing
João Cancelo didn't just want to return to Barcelona. According to his own account, he was ready to sit out an entire season, fully paid, rather than go anywhere else.
Speaking after arriving in Barcelona on Monday to finalise his permanent move from Al Hilal, Cancelo revealed exactly how far he pushed to make it happen: he told Barcelona sporting director Deco he was ready to "spend a year without playing while continuing to receive my salary" rather than stay in Saudi Arabia. He also confirmed he took a pay cut to get the deal done:
"I gave up part of my salary, but it was Barça or nothing."
João Cancelo Was Determined to Return to Barcelona
That's Cancelo's own account of the negotiation, not an independently confirmed fact but it lines up with what's already been reported: talks between Barcelona and Al Hilal over a transfer fee had dragged for weeks before Cancelo simply agreed to cancel his Al Hilal contract and join as a free agent, forfeiting money in the process to make it happen quickly. He said he trained on his own for a week beforehand to make sure he was ready.
The Barcelona Return Came at a Financial Cost
This will be Cancelo's third Barcelona spell, after two separate loans but the first as a permanent signing, and clearly the one he wanted most. Barcelona haven't had a smooth run financially in recent years, so a player choosing the club over guaranteed pay elsewhere is notable in itself.
Cancelo has talked before about idolising players who came through Barcelona, and that history appears to be more than a talking point: it's the reason he was reportedly willing to gamble a season of his career to get back.
Cancelo’s Barcelona Dream Finally Comes True
The move still needs final formalities, a medical and official unveiling before it's fully done. But if Cancelo's version of events holds up, this wasn't Barcelona convincing a hesitant player to sign. It was the other way around.
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