Shocking Move: Cancelo Baffles Al-Hilal with Bold Exit Plan
18 November 2025
Shocking Decision From Cancelo
Reports emerged late Tuesday that Joao Cancelo, the Portuguese right-back for Al-Hilal, has made a shocking decision about his future with the club.
Cancelo joined Al-Hilal in the summer window for the 2024-2025 season, arriving from Manchester City for 30 million euros, and quickly became a technical centerpiece for a team chasing a dynamic, aggressive style.
The Saudi daily Al-Yawm reported that Cancelo has finalized plans to depart in the near future, with a European return on the horizon as he seeks a new challenge.
Earlier, the player had already hinted at a return to Europe, specifically mentioning Benfica as a potential destination.
Recently, reports of his exclusion from the local league squad due to a muscular injury sparked debate and drew attention to his relationship with the club's management.
The Portuguese star, known for his ambition and professionalism, reportedly expressed frustration with the lack of consultation and clarity on the recovery plan.
Since joining in 2024, Cancelo's presence was seen as a multifaceted asset—capable of playing full-back, linking lines, and contributing offensively—altering how Al-Hilal pressed and attacked.
Club officials insisted the exclusion was for technical and medical reasons, aimed at protecting the player and ensuring his full readiness for domestic and continental duties like the AFC Champions League.
Yet reports suggest Cancelo asked for a formal explanation of his future while hoping to be part of a clear plan that would allow regular participation as soon as possible.
All of this underlines the importance of communication between foreign stars and Saudi clubs, particularly with high-profile players who contribute on and off the pitch.
With his form and fitness improving after returning to the national team setup, the current situation places extra pressure on the club's management in the weeks ahead.
Despite rumours that Al-Hilal intended to reinstate Cancelo to the domestic list early next year, the decision remains unsettled as he contemplates his options.
Among the backline injuries that have plagued the squad—the likes of Hamad Al-Yami, Meteb Al-Harbi, Hassan Tembakti, and Ali Lajami—Cancelo's potential exit would leave a notable gap in flexibility and quality.
Ultimately, Cancelo is viewed not merely as a winger or a full-back but as a tactical instrument whose absence could re-shape Al-Hilal's approach in key matches.
Humor: In a world where football is life, Cancelo's career is basically a decoder ring: turn the page, and suddenly you’re in Benfica's jersey. If his career is a cinema, the plot twist is already in 3D, and the popcorn is just for the fans. And if a transfer window is a dating app, Cancelo just swiped right on Europe again—hard to keep up with the reruns!
Punchline: If football moves were as straightforward as my Wi-Fi, Cancelo would have signed with Benfica before I finished this paragraph. Punchline 2: Al-Hilal might need a GPS to track Cancelo's next destination—it's Europe, with a side of drama and a dash of transfer rumor spice.
