Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, famous for his speed and dribbling prowess, is widely recognised as one of the best full-backs currently playing in Europe. He enjoyed success in Spain and Italy before moving to England. After beginning his career with Benfica, he spent time with Valencia, Inter Milan, and Juventus before Manchester City brought him to the Premier League in a deal worth €30 million. He has also represented his native Portugal at international level, winning more than 20 caps. He has been part of teams that have won the Primeira Liga, Serie A, and UEFA Nations League. In 2019, he was shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPro World XI and is also a two-time Serie A Team of the Year defender.

Cancelo was born in the town of Barreiro, Portugal in May 1994. His first club, when he was eight years old, was Barreirense, but he was signed by Benfica when he was 13, joining their youth academy and working his way through the ranks. He turned professional in 2012 with Benfica B (who play in Portugal’s second division) and was promoted to the first team two years later. Despite his long association with Benfica, he was first loaned and then sold to Spanish side Valencia, where he got his first taste of regular top-flight football. In his first season, he helped the club to qualify for the Champions League.

In 2018, after a loan spell with Inter Milan, Cancelo moved to another Serie A side, Juventus, for €40 million. In his sole season with the club, they won their eighth Serie A title in a row and the Supercoppa Italiana. This success was followed with a move to Manchester City, one of the most successful football clubs of the last decade.