João Cancelo shared in an interview on the program Alta Definição two deeply impactful experiences he endured. Firstly, the tragic death of his mother in a car accident. He still vividly recalls "his mother’s last scream" and seeing his eight-year-old brother crying after the incident. Cancelo tried to help by attempting to lift the car to rescue his mother but found it impossible.
The second ordeal was a home robbery. He described the event: "They were turned away from me, and I felt I had a chance to do something. Nowadays, I regret it, but I managed to punch one in the back of the head." During the struggle, a knife fell, which Cancelo kicked away, but then he was hit on the head with an iron bar, resulting in a scar and eight stitches. He lost consciousness and awoke with a knife to his throat.
These profound personal challenges demonstrate Cancelo’s remarkable resilience and mental strength, qualities that undoubtedly influence his performance on the field. Such life experiences help him remain composed under pressure and fight relentlessly.
