Joao Cancelo, currently on loan to Barcelona from Saudi club Al-Hilal, remains uncertain about his future after this season. He has made it clear that he does not wish to return to Saudi Arabia and is ready to accept a significant pay cut to avoid doing so.
The player feels strong emotional ties to both Barcelona and his boyhood club Benfica, where he began his career. In an interview with Canal 11, he stated, "I've already earned more than I expected, but playing for Benfica is like playing for the love of the game. I'm prepared to reduce my salary."
Barcelona is keen to keep Cancelo and is willing to offer him a two-year contract but only if he can be released from his deal with Al-Hilal. The Saudi club, which holds a contract with the player until 2027, seeks around €8 million in compensation or inclusion of another player in the deal. Marc Casado's name has come up, though the Barcelona midfielder is reluctant to move to Al-Hilal, complicating negotiations.
At 31, Cancelo faces a choice between continuing his career at Barcelona, where manager Hansi Flick values his versatility in defense, and returning to his emotional roots at Benfica. He openly expresses his affection for both clubs and is willing to sacrifice salary for the opportunity to play for them.
The situation remains unresolved, and Cancelo's ultimate decision will be crucial both for the player and for Barcelona, who count on his contributions in upcoming seasons.
