FC Barcelona star Joao Cancelo opened up about the death threats his family received following their Champions League quarterfinal defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. The 4-1 loss saw Cancelo play his part in the defeat, with a controversial foul leading to a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe, ultimately sealing their 6-4 aggregate loss. Cancelo admitted that the abuse he and his family received online was cruel and unjustified, emphasizing that footballers are humans too and have feelings that can be affected by such comments.
The defeat against PSG also reportedly caused a rift within the Barcelona locker room, with a spat between Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan leading Xavi to cancel a training session before the upcoming Clasico. Cancelo, however, faced battles off the pitch as he dealt with the aftermath of the loss and the abuse directed at him and his family. He expressed his disappointment and frustration at the comments, particularly those directed towards his unborn daughter, calling for more respect and understanding towards footballers’ personal lives.
Criticism towards Cancelo’s performance in the PSG game was also highlighted, with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand calling his mistake “silly” and “naive.” Cancelo acknowledged the criticism but defended himself, stating that everyone makes mistakes and that it was his job to accept criticism. He urged that criticism should be directed towards his performance on the field rather than his family, emphasizing the impact such comments can have on loved ones who have no involvement in his football career.
The difficult week following the PSG defeat took a toll on Cancelo, who admitted to struggling to sleep after the loss as he felt responsible for the outcome. Despite the disappointment, Cancelo looked ahead to the upcoming Clasico against Real Madrid, where Barcelona has an opportunity to close the gap on their rivals in the La Liga title race. He emphasized the importance of moving on from the defeat and focusing on the future matches, including the crucial clash against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Cancelo’s revelations shed light on the challenges and pressures faced by professional footballers, both on and off the pitch. The abuse and criticism he received following the defeat against PSG serve as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and expectations placed on players, highlighting the need for greater empathy and respect towards their personal lives. As Barcelona prepares for the Clasico showdown, Cancelo’s resilience and determination to overcome adversity demonstrate his commitment to bouncing back from setbacks and delivering performances that do justice to himself and his team.
