Cancelo: Inzaghi wasn't clear and broke his promise
14 January 2026
Context
Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo, recently loaned to Barcelona, offered fresh details about his exit from Al Hilal Saudi Arabia during the current winter window, saying he was surprised by how quickly the coach's position shifted.
Cancelo's move sent him from Al Hilal to Barcelona until the season's end, after being left out of coach Simone Inzaghi's plans.
In statements cited by the Saudi newspaper Al Yaoum, Cancelo said: 'Honestly, Inzaghi wasn't clear with me enough; he spoke to me at first and told me one thing, and after three days everything changed, and he told me something different, which surprised me a little at that moment'.
He added: 'I didn't expect such a rapid change in the decision, especially since I believed my place in the squad was stable, but in football anything can happen, and a player must be ready for all scenarios'.
Despite the surprise, Cancelo said he handled it calmly and professionally, and the Barcelona loan felt like a welcome surprise, given the club's stature; returning to a team like Barcelona is a great honor for any player.
He concluded: 'I am happy to return to Barcelona, feel the excitement again, and I will give my all to help the team achieve its goals domestically and in Europe'.
Punchline: If transfers were weather, this window would be a hurricane—Barcelona arrives with sunshine.