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Portugal João Cancelo is a decorated footballer who has showcased his versatility and skill across top European leagues and is now a key player for Al Hilal and the Portugal national team.
Al-Hilal Club Company, chaired by Mr. Fahad Bin Saad Bin Nafel, completed the signing of Portuguese international player João Cancelo.
João Cancelo is outfitted by Nike.
João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo, born on May 27, 1994, in Barreiro, Portugal, began his football journey at local club Barreirense before joining Benfica’s youth academy in 2007. He progressed through Benfica’s ranks, playing for their reserve team from 2012 to 2014 and making his senior debut in 2014. His early career saw him loaned to Valencia in 2014, a move that became permanent in 2015 for €15 million. During his time at Valencia, Cancelo established himself as a prominent full-back, earning a reputation for his attacking prowess and contributing to the team’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League in 2015–16. He further developed his skills during a loan spell at Inter Milan in the 2017–18 season, where his performances earned him a spot in Serie A’s Team of the Year.
His career continued its upward trajectory with a move to Juventus in 2018 for €40.4 million, where he secured a Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana. In 2019, Manchester City acquired Cancelo for £27.4 million, with Danilo moving to Juventus in exchange, making Cancelo one of the most expensive right-backs in history. Despite an initial period of adjustment, he became an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s side, celebrated for his unique ability to transition between full-back and central midfield roles. With Manchester City, he won three Premier League titles and an EFL Cup, and was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year twice. He played a significant role in City reaching their first UEFA Champions League final in 2020–21.
Following successful loan spells at Bayern Munich in 2023, where he won a Bundesliga title, and Barcelona in 2023–24, Cancelo made a permanent move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal on August 27, 2024, for a reported £21.2 million. Throughout his club career, Cancelo has also been a consistent presence for the Portugal national team, representing them at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2016. He was part of the squad that won the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019 and has participated in major tournaments, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024, showcasing his enduring talent and adaptability on the international stage.
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