In an interview excerpt shared by Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, Cancelo admitted he arrived out of shape following his time in Saudi Arabia. He pointed to the demanding training methods of manager Hansi Flick as instrumental in rebuilding his fitness.
According to the Portuguese defender, Flick’s high-intensity sessions have gradually restored his sharpness and confidence on the pitch.
Romano posted:
João Cancelo: “I wasn’t in my best shape when I joined Barça from Al Hilal, I was not at the same physical level as my teammates”. “I’m returning to my level now, step by step. Flick is very demanding, the club as well… I love that”.
Softfootball earlier reported that Joao Cancelo officially rejoined FC Barcelona on a season-ending loan from Al-Hilal SFC, marking his second spell at the Catalan club after his 2023–24 stint. The January 2026 move experienced minor paperwork delays before being finalized, confirming his return until the end of the 2025–26 campaign.
Earlier reports confirmed Barcelona reached a full agreement with Al Hilal for the temporary deal, reinforcing the club’s defensive options for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Joao Neves has agreed a new long-term contract with Paris Saint-Germain F.C., extending his stay until June 2030 with an improved salary package.
