Football player Joao Cancelo, one of the best defenders in the world today, surprised fans when he decided to leave Manchester City to join Al Hilal Club in Saudi Arabia. This move not only marks a major turning point in Cancelo’s career but also raises many questions about his future in international football. Find out with F168.
Contents
- 1 Current situation of Football Player Joao Cancelo at Man City
- 2 Difficulties at Bayern Munich
- 3 Returned to Man City and failed to find a new destination
- 4 Journey to Al Hilal
- 5 Reasons to choose Al Hilal
- 6 Attractive salary and long-term contract
- 7 Challenges when joining a new football platform
- 8 The future of Joao Cancelo and Saudi Arabian football
- 9 The transformation of Saudi Arabian football
- 10 Opportunity for young players
- 11 Challenges for regional football
- 12 Conclude
Current situation of Football Player Joao Cancelo at Man City
Journey of Football player Joao Cancelo at Manchester City has gone through many ups and downs. Once an important pillar in Pep Guardiola’s squad, Cancelo has contributed to many successes of Man City in recent seasons. However, from the beginning of 2023, things have changed significantly.
From his position as a key player, Cancelo was gradually removed from coach Pep Guardiola’s plans. The main reason stemmed from the fact that he was not a regular starter and showed signs of dissatisfaction with the Spanish teacher’s strategy. This led to Cancelo having to leave Man City to join Bayern Munich on loan. However, at Allianz Arena, he did not make a strong impression and was commented that he did not get along with his teammates during competition.
Difficulties at Bayern Munich
When joining Bayern Munich, Cancelo is expected to shine and assert his value. However, life in the Bundesliga is not as expected. He did not show good performance and often had to sit on the bench.
This has made Cancelo the focus of criticism. German fans and media began to doubt his abilities. Cancelo’s incompatibility with his teammates made it difficult for him to express himself.
Returned to Man City and failed to find a new destination
After the 2022/23 season, Joao Cancelo returned to Man City and faced the reality that he was no longer in coach Guardiola’s plans. However, finding a new club to play for is not easy. Very few teams are willing to meet the price offered by Man City. And then Al Hilal, a rising club in the Saudi Pro League, appeared as an opportunity for Cancelo.

Journey to Al Hilal
At the end of August 2024, news of Joao Cancelo joining Al Hilal was officially confirmed. This is a bold and turning point decision in the Portuguese player’s career.
Reasons to choose Al Hilal
One of the main reasons why Cancelo decided to join Al Hilal was the opportunity to win titles. With Al Hilal being one of the strongest teams in the Saudi Pro League, Cancelo hopes to have the opportunity to participate in major tournaments and achieve personal and collective achievements.
In addition, the football environment in the Middle East is also an attractive factor. After many years of playing in Europe, trying a new football platform can help Cancelo discover more interesting experiences.

Attractive salary and long-term contract
According to revealed information, the salary Cancelo receives at Al Hilal is up to 15 million euros per season, a not small number. This not only helps him have a stable life but also affirms the team’s appreciation for him.
The contract lasting until 2027 also shows that Al Hilal places great faith in Cancelo’s abilities. This is also an important part in building a strong squad to compete in domestic and international tournaments.
Challenges when joining a new football platform
Although Al Hilal offers many opportunities, it is inevitable that Cancelo will face challenges. Getting used to a different football culture, as well as the playing style of new teammates, is certainly not easy.
Cancelo will need time to integrate and prove his worth. However, with the talent and experience he has accumulated while competing in Europe, many people believe that he will quickly adapt and shine in the Al Hilal shirt.
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The future of Joao Cancelo and Saudi Arabian football
Joao Cancelo joining Al Hilal can be seen as a positive signal for the development of Saudi Arabian football. With strong investments in quality players and attractive tournaments, football here is on the path to rapid development.
The transformation of Saudi Arabian football
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in the football field, from building infrastructure to recruiting the world’s top players. This not only improves the quality of the tournament but also attracts attention from global fans.
Al Hilal, typical of these efforts, are currently one of the strongest clubs in the country. With Cancelo’s presence, the team promises to continue to achieve success and expand the brand globally.
Opportunity for young players
Joao Cancelo can become a role model for young players in Saudi Arabia. With experience playing at the highest level, he can inspire and support young players to develop the skills and qualities necessary to reach the top of their careers.
Along with that, having big stars in the squad not only improves the professional level of young players but also stimulates interest from fans, contributing to the development of local football culture.
Challenges for regional football
Despite great potential, Saudi Arabian football still faces many challenges. Achieving global recognition and competing with major leagues in Europe and South America remains a difficult problem.
However, if Saudi Arabia continues to maintain development momentum and improve the quality of the tournament, it is possible to create a strong and formidable football foundation in the future.
Conclude
Footballer Joao Cancelo’s journey from Manchester City to Al Hilal is not only a personal career move but also part of a larger trend in international football. With the strong development of Saudi Arabian football, seeing top stars accept challenges here could be a sign of a new era. Hopefully, at Al Hilal, Cancelo will regain his best form and continue to contribute to his football career in the coming years.