Joao Cancelo’s return to FC Barcelona in the winter transfer window came with warm words about one of the squad’s most popular players, midfielder Gavi. The Portuguese fullback said that Gavi was the teammate he most looked forward to seeing after rejoining the club.
Cancelo explained that, while he gets on well with the whole group, his rapport with Gavi stood out because the younger Spaniard made him feel immediately at ease and welcomed. The two developed a close bond: Cancelo likened their relationship to that of a younger brother he would have liked to have.
He also recalled their first meeting during his earlier stint at Barcelona in the 2023–24 season, when Gavi approached him and offered to help with anything he needed. That gesture left a strong positive impression on Cancelo and created a special affection between them.
Cancelo’s remarks echo memories previously shared by Robert Lewandowski, who praised Gavi’s human touch when he first arrived at the club. The Polish striker said that after a very difficult personal period he had shut down emotionally, but Gavi’s spontaneous embrace helped him to open up again.
Meanwhile, Gavi continues his recovery. The 21‑year‑old midfielder underwent surgery on the internal meniscus of his right knee on 23 September, with an expected absence of around four to five months. In recent days he has shown significant progress, already training with the ball and sharing updates on his social channels. The next phase will be to rejoin group training and obtain the medical clearance needed to be available for Hansi Flick.
