Cancelo Rumors Swirl, but Al Hilal Says No Official Departure Yet
19 November 2025
Overview
Persistent rumors circulated in the past hours that Portuguese winger Joao Cancelo, who joined Al Hilal from Manchester City in 2024 for €30 million, is seeking to depart during the upcoming winter transfer window.
Reports persisted that Al Hilal might be planning to reinstate Cancelo on the local roster from January, but the team has not received any formal request or bid to part ways. The Saudi daily Al-Youm noted there is no official move underway, and the rumors about a European return are not corroborated by the club.
Al Hilal has stressed that Cancelo’s continuity is essential for the near future, and any departure would require formal channels that have not appeared yet. Cancelo joined the club in the summer of 2024 from Manchester City for €30 million and has featured in 43 matches across competitions, scoring two goals and providing 13 assists. Humorously, if football were a library, Cancelo’s presence would be the kind of well-shelved encyclopaedia you don’t want to loan out.
The article adds a note about the player’s status: no official departure request has been received by the club, and the rumor mill remains more active than a late-night highlights reel.
In short, Al Hilal wants Cancelo to stay, and there is no formal move on file. The focus now shifts to how the team will plan with him through the coming fixtures.
Return to Europe
In related remarks, Cancelo’s comments during a national-team camp hinted at a possible European return. He referenced a dream of returning to Europe, with Benfica singled out as a club of personal significance where he began his professional journey. He stressed he respects his contract with Al Hilal, which still has two years remaining, but he also voiced a desire to face new challenges in his career.
He added that lifting a European trophy would be a unique milestone, while noting the strength of the Portuguese national squad and its players. When drawing a comparison between leagues, Cancelo ranked England as the best, while praising Spain, Germany, and Italy in their own rights. He cautioned that direct comparisons with the Saudi Pro League are difficult, but acknowledged its rapid development and rising status on the global stage.
He praised the Saudi league for featuring a blend of foreign talent and local players, contributing to a growing standard of play. He also highlighted that the league is climbing toward higher levels of competitiveness in coming seasons.
A tactical note
The discussion around Cancelo’s position on the field is paired with tactical considerations for Al Hilal. The Italian coach Simone Inzaghi is reportedly evaluating options at the right-back position, with Hassan Tambkiti (Tambkiti) being prepared to fill in once fit, after an injury with the national team. This shift comes as Cancelo’s absence would create a need for versatility at the back and on the flanks.
As for the schedule, Al Hilal will host Al Fateh at Kingdom Arena on Saturday, in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League, with the team aiming to solidify its standing while Cancelo’s future remains a topic of conjecture.
Humor corner
Sniper joke 1: If rumors were goals, Cancelo would have broken the net by now—yet no official notice has left the club’s letterbox. Sniper joke 2: The rumor mill is sprinting, but the club’s paperwork says “no departure today.”
