Joao Cancelo has publicly condemned Al-Hilal for misleading him about his squad registration during his time in Saudi Arabia, revealing the true reason behind his swift return to Barcelona. The Portuguese defender, who recently helped the Catalan club capture the 2025-26 La Liga title, expressed frustration at the club's lack of transparency regarding his professional status.
Speaking to DAZN, Cancelo did not mince words about his experience at the Saudi Pro League side. "At Al-Hilal, unfortunately, I had people who did not tell me the truth," he explained. "They told me I was going to be registered for the Saudi league list, and then, when the time came, they did not do it. After that, I'm always the one left with the bad image… but at least I keep my word, and I would not trade it for anything."
The Foreign Player Quota Problem
Cancelo's predicament stemmed from Al-Hilal's foreign-player quota restrictions, which ultimately excluded him from the club's competitive plans. Despite his departure, the Saudi club has valued him at €15 million and refuses to release him for free. This financial stalemate now complicates Barcelona's attempts to make his loan move permanent.
The versatile full-back has flourished since arriving in Catalonia under manager Hansi Flick. His ability to operate across both flanks while drifting into midfield has proven instrumental to Barcelona's attacking prowess and domestic success. Despite the contractual complications with Al-Hilal, Cancelo's performances have made him indispensable to the Blaugrana's tactical setup.
A Trophy Collection Across Europe's Elite Leagues
By winning La Liga with Barcelona, the 31-year-old has now claimed league titles in four of Europe's top five divisions. His trophy cabinet includes three Premier League titles with Manchester City, a Serie A medal from Juventus, the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, and Barcelona's Spanish crown. This achievement underscores his status as one of Europe's most accomplished defenders despite the Al-Hilal setback.
Barcelona's clear preference is to retain Cancelo permanently, though only if Al-Hilal agrees to a free transfer—an outcome that currently seems unlikely given the Saudi club's demands. Cancelo's insistence that he holds no grudges suggests a potential path forward, though his immediate future remains uncertain as Barcelona and Al-Hilal negotiate his status.
