FC Barcelona star Joao Cancelo recently opened up about the death threats his family received following the team’s Champions League quarterfinal defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. While Ronald Araujo was mostly criticized for the 4-1 loss, Cancelo was also blamed for his foul that led to a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe, ultimately resulting in a 6-4 aggregate loss for Barca.
Following the match, there were reports of a locker room rift between Gundogan and Araujo, leading to Xavi cancelling a training session before the upcoming Clasico. Cancelo shared with ESPN the abuse he faced off the pitch, with people making cruel comments, including threats towards his family, on social media. The Portuguese right-back expressed his disappointment and concerns about the lack of empathy and understanding shown towards footballers as individuals.
Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand criticized Cancelo for his mistake during the game, calling it ‘silly’ and ‘naive.’ In response, Cancelo acknowledged his error but also emphasized that mistakes are a part of the game. He expressed his acceptance of criticism but stressed the importance of separating constructive feedback on his performance from personal attacks on his family.
The difficult week following the defeat against PSG took a toll on Cancelo, who struggled to sleep as he felt responsible for the team’s loss. Despite the disappointment, Cancelo remains committed to moving forward and focusing on the upcoming challenges, particularly the crucial La Liga match against Real Madrid. With Barca trailing eight points behind in the title race, Cancelo and his teammates are determined to restore pride and close the gap in their pursuit of the league title.
As Cancelo prepares to face Real Madrid in the upcoming Clasico, he reflects on the challenges faced both on and off the pitch. While criticizing his performance is acceptable, he emphasizes the need to respect the boundaries and not bring his family into the discussion. Cancelo’s resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks demonstrate his professionalism and commitment to his team’s success, as Barca aims to overcome the recent setbacks and compete at the highest level.
