The technical director of Al-Hilal club made a major surprise during the press conference preceding the team’s anticipated match against Al-Hazm, as part of the fourteenth round of the Saudi Professional League, which is scheduled to be held tomorrow evening, Thursday, at the “Kingdom Arena” stadium.
Controversial statements about Cancelo's future
Speaking about preparations for the match, the Al-Hilal coach confirmed that the team had completed its preparations perfectly, emphasizing the importance of returning to play in front of the Al-Hilal fans after securing two valuable away victories. In response to questions regarding the lineup and absences, he stated, "João Cancelo is not in our plans at the moment, and the club's management is currently working to resolve this matter definitively.".
Joao Cancelo and Barcelona: The full story
These statements reinforce press reports linking the Portuguese full-back with a move to Barcelona during the winter transfer window. Cancelo is a long-standing target for the Catalan club, having previously played for them and delivered impressive performances. This has fueled the player's desire to return to La Liga, especially after his recent gradual exclusion from Al-Hilal's coaching staff's plans.
The artistic context and the impact of absence
João Cancelo boasts an impressive career and extensive international experience, having played for major clubs such as Manchester City, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, making him one of the world's top full-backs thanks to his exceptional attacking abilities. His potential departure from Al-Hilal could leave a tactical void on the right flank, but the club possesses a strong bench capable of compensating for absences, as demonstrated by their dominance in domestic football this season.
Al-Hilal's position in the Roshan League
Al-Hilal enters the match against Al-Hazm with high morale after their recent and well-deserved 2-0 victory over Damac in the last round, continuing their winning streak and strengthening their position at the top of the Roshan League standings. The Blue Wave squad aims to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans at the Kingdom Arena to secure the three points and move closer to achieving the title, regardless of any changes in the transfer market.
