The journey of a footballer is often shaped by the idols they admire throughout their career, molding their playstyle and aspirations. Joao Cancelo’s path is a prime example of this influence. At 29, Cancelo has effortlessly assimilated into Barcelona, a club he’s admired since his youth.
READ MORE
+ + DC United will exercise the purchase option of Gabriel Pirani, Santos’ pearl
+ + Four Brazilians among the best under-23 dribblers in the world
+ + Ancelotti likely to sign new contract with Real Madrid, not going to Brazil
His journey through various leagues – from Valencia and Barcelona in La Liga, Manchester City in the Premier League, stints at Inter and Juventus in Serie A, to Bayern in the Bundesliga – reflects his versatile and adaptable nature as a player.
Cancelo’s long-standing admiration for Barcelona began around 2008, a golden era marked by legendary players and mesmerizing gameplay. He explains in the ‘1 Para 1’ podcast,
“For me, I grew up watching the best soccer team play, which is Barcelona in 2009, and many of my idols played here.”
This was one of the reasons he accepted the loan deal to Barcelona this season,
“It was easy to adapt, among other things because I really like the club, I really like the dynamics of the club and it has been easy, it has been very easy to adapt”
His childhood was captivated by the magic of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the Barça star whose unique talent and charisma on the field deeply influenced Cancelo’s football careers.
“My biggest idol has always been Ronaldinho Gaúcho. He was the player I most liked to see play on television. Because of his pure talent, because of his magic. What he brought to me was incredible.”
This admiration extends to his current teammates, particularly his Portuguese compatriot, Joao Félix, known for his pure talent and potential to make a significant impact on the game.
At Barcelona, Cancelo finds himself surrounded by exceptional talent, notably Frenkie de Jong. He highlights De Jong’s extraordinary skills, observed closely during training sessions, setting him apart from other players. Cancelo also acknowledges the talent of İlkay Gündoğan from their time together at Manchester City, appreciating the consistent quality and impact Gündoğan brought to the team.
This blend of admiration for historical football legends and respect for contemporary talents has made Cancelo’s blending into the Barcelona squad not just seamless but also deeply fulfilling, connecting his past inspirations with his present reality.
