Former Barcelona star critiques Joao Cancelo’s performance in El-Clasico match against Real Madrid

Joao Cancelo, absent from Manchester City's lineup for over a year amid reported disagreements with manager Guardiola, has faced criticism for recent performances with Barcelona.

Chirag

April 24, 2024

Joao Cancelo Gets Roasted For His Poor Defending — Flor Tan Jun/Getty Images

Cancelo has been absent from City’s lineup for over a year now, following reported disagreements with manager Guardiola, subsequently being loaned to Bayern Munich and now Barcelona. Despite making 36 appearances and scoring four goals for the Spanish club, his recent performances in the 4-1 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain and the 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in La Liga have faced criticism. Ronald de Boer, a former Barcelona player, has suggested that Guardiola’s decision to loan out the 29-year-old has been justified.

Speaking on Ziggo Sport, De Boer remarked, “Now I know why Pep [Guardiola] doesn’t like Cancelo. This guy plays his own football and thinks it’s only about what you do with the ball. You’re a defender!!!”

Dutch football legend Marco van Basten added, “It’s crazy that Cancelo continues to repeat his mistakes at 29 years old.”

Despite being under contract with City until 2027, Cancelo’s future with the club seems uncertain. Despite his contributions to City’s trophy haul, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup, it seems his departure from the club will be on less than amicable terms.

Since leaving City, Cancelo has been portrayed as a disruptive figure. However, in March, he addressed these allegations, stating to Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola, “Lies were told. I was never a bad companion for them and you can ask either [Nathan] Ake or Rico [Lewis]. I don’t have any superiority or inferiority complex towards them. I think Manchester City were a bit ungrateful to me when they said that because I was a very important player in the years I was there. I never failed in my commitment to the club, to the fans. I always gave everything.”

Cancelo will be eager to feature in Barcelona’s upcoming matches, starting with a home game against Valencia in La Liga on Monday, followed by an away fixture against Girona on May 4, as Xavi’s side aims to maintain its position in the league standings.