Joao Cancelo’s future remains uncertain: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has reportedly made a decision on his possible return

Joao Cancelo arrived Al Hilal as a star in 2024, aiming to establish himself as one of the top players in the Saudi Pro League. However, the arrival of coach Simone Inzaghi seems to have changed the situation. The Portuguese player is reportedly not registered with the team for the competition. fueling rumors of his possible return to Europe, possibly Barcelona. In response to these developments coach Hansi Flick has reportedly made a decision.

With just six months to go until the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, Cancelo will be forced to leave Al Hilal to earn a call-up to the national team. According to Adrian Sanchez of MasQuePelotas: The Portuguese player’s agents have offered him a return to Barcelonawhich prompted the front office to consider the possibility. However, coach Hansi Flick reportedly believes that the Portuguese veteran should not return as he considers it a closed chapter.

Although Joao’s return to the Blaugranas could have been a huge boost for the right-left back, Hansi Flick prefers to bet on the young talent and relies on Eric Garcia, Gerard Martin and Jofre Torrents as backup for Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde. Nevertheless, Cancelo still has a keen interest in European teams due to his consistency over the years and his key role for Portugal in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.

As reported by Agencia EFE, Joao Cancelo made strong statements about his career at Al Hilal in early November 2025. He expressed a clear preference for his next possible move: “Obviously I dream of returning to Europe. I still have one year left on my contract with Al Hilal, but I’m always open to new adventures… I always dream of playing for Benfica, it depends on what the future brings. I will always dream of playing for Benfica.”

Joao Cancelo’s tenure at Al Hilal was marked by concerns over his fitness

After starring roles at Manchester City and Barcelona, João Cancelo joined Al Hilal and became a standout artist. The Portugal international showed his talent with three goals and 14 assists in 45 games and flourished under coach Jorge Jesus. Despite his contributions, the 31-year-old suffered recurring injuries that limited his appearances, prompting new coach Simone Inzaghi to leave him.

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During the 2024-2025 season, Cancelo missed eleven games due to a leg injury and a torn thigh, but his strong performances earned him a starting spot. However, a muscle tear and thigh injury kept him sidelined at the start of the 2025-26 season, forcing coach Simone Inzaghi to put together a competitive squad that did not include the Portuguese star. where the places for foreign players have already been filled by the arrival of Darwin Nuñez and Theo Hernandez.

Although João Cancelo is keen to return to Benfica, the Portuguese club have not yet made any move towards a deal. However, a six-month loan remains a viable option. Meanwhile, Premier League teams can also join the race for his signature, paving the way for a fascinating transfer market in January 2026. Cancelo is certainly expected to leave Al Hilal.