Al Hilal star shows allegiance to Barcelona following Real Madrid draw in Club World Cup | OneFootball

Joao Cancelo was an integral part of Barcelona’s starting lineup last season and was invaluable not only at right-back but also in the left-back department after Alejandro Balde’s long-term injury.

In his one season at the club, the Portuguese star played 42 games in the garnet-and-blue, scoring four goals and providing five assists in the process.

Despite his positive stint on loan from Manchester City, however, he did not secure a permanent move to the Catalan capital owing to the team’s financial insufficiency and eventually signed for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Still a Cule

Despite not playing for Barcelona this season, Cancelo holds a special place for the club in his heart and he even posted a photo of himself wearing this season’s kit on his social media earlier this week.

In the photo, Cancelo is seen wearing the team’s first kit which he never wore during his time as a player, showing that he is still an ardent fan of the Blaugrana.

He also poses with the kit of Cruz Credo da Vila Formosa kit in the picture.

While the development in itself is not massive, it is the timing of the post that has caught the attention of many for the player posted it immediately after the Club World Cup draw where Al-Hilal was drawn in the same group as Real Madrid.

Cancelo’s picture, thus, has been interpreted as a warning message to Los Blancos for he is still a Barcelona fan at heart and has it in him to get the better of Real Madrid in the event.

Barcelona, unfortunately, did not qualify for the tournament owing to their recent disappointments in Europe, although Hansi Flick found the bright side in his press conference and stated that his players would need the rest after a hectic season.