João Pedro Cavaco Cancelo

João Cancelo is a Portuguese right-back born in Barreiro on 27 May 1994. He began at FC Barreirense before joining Benfica’s academy in 2007, where he developed into a senior prospect and helped win the 2013 junior national championship. Cancelo moved to Valencia in 2014, initially on loan, and established himself in La Liga. He then joined Inter on loan before moving to Juventus, gaining experience in Serie A’s demanding defensive system. Manchester City signed him in 2019, and under Pep Guardiola he became an influential full-back who could move inside to support midfield while also operating on either flank. Later loan spells took João Cancelo to Bayern München and Barcelona, extending a career across several elite European leagues. For Portugal, he has been involved with the senior national team since 2016 and was part of the squad that won the 2019 UEFA Nations League.