Cancelo Reveals Barcelona Best Team-mate & Idol

Joao Cancelo, a Manchester City loanee, remarks that Ronaldinho was his “biggest idol” and that Joao Felix, his Barcelona teammate, is exceptionally talented.

The Portuguese international has acknowledged that he has idolised Ronaldinho and has been a Barcelona supporter since he was a young boy. This season, Felix, a loanee from Atletico Madrid to Barca, has impressed the first team, according to the 29-year-old. Felix joined the Spanish team this summer on a season-long loan from City, with the option to buy.

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Cancelo told Spanish publication Sport: “For me, I grew up watching the best soccer team play, which is Barcelona in 2009, and many of my idols played here.

“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.

“With the rivalry that exists here between Barcelona and Real Madrid and he got the Bernabéu to applaud him. There was something about him [Ronaldinho] that made him different from the rest.”

He added: “[Joao] Félix is pure talent. There is a lot of talent in Portugal, in general, but Félix is one of those who can really make a difference.”

It appears that Cancelo’s tenure with City may be coming to an end. After a falling out with Cityzens manager Pep Guardiola, the defender was transferred out on loan to Bayern Munich for the second part of the previous campaign. Guardiola did, however, seem to soften his stance towards the former Juventus player in the summer, but based on Cancelo’s most recent comments, it seems that he is focused on making a permanent move to Barcelona. It remains to be seen if they can afford him come summertime.

Barcelona, who finished the year in fourth place in La Liga, will play their league opener away to Las Palmas on January 4, 2024. Following that, they play Barbastro in the Copa del Rey three days later, and on January 11, they play Osasuna in the Supercopa de Espana semifinal.