Joao Cancelo is no longer a Manchester City player, after completing a move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.
The full-back has departed after five years at the club, sealing a £21 million transfer to the Gulf state.
Cancelo had been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, after spending the 2023/24 season on loan there.
He had wanted that move, and had been holding out hope of going back to Spain. But ultimately, they had reservations about signing him, with the giants’ financial situation proving prohibitive.
They could only take Cancelo on loan again this season and would reportedly not commit to buying him next year. City wanted to sell.
Despite his reported falling out with Pep Guardiola, Cancelo was always a popular member of City’s dressing room – and Erling Haaland has sent a parting message to the 30-year-old.
Erling Haaland sends message to Joao Cancelo referencing THAT assist vs Borussia Dortmund
Cancelo was a joy to watch in his earlier years at City.
He did take a year to find his feet in English football. But from 2020 onwards and for around two years, Cancelo was arguably the best attacking full-back in the game.
He operated mostly at left-back, with Kyle Walker playing on the right.
As a result of playing on that left side, Cancelo could often be seen making ‘Trivela’ passes, something he became extremely well known for.
The Trivela pass is when a player curls the ball with the outside of their foot rather than using their weak foot.
In a Champions League group stage match against Borussia Dortmund in the 2022/23 season, Cancelo drew gasps with a Trviela assist he made at the Etihad Stadium.
He put the ball to the back post, and Haaland produced a magnificent acrobatic finish.
Haaland has referenced this incredible goal in his parting message to Cancelo on his Instagram Story. He said: “All the best @jpcancelo. Will never forget this beautiful pass.”
Without doubt, it was a goal many City fans thought was one of the best scored that season, so many will love this message from the Norwegian.
Cancelo’s technical ability was a sight to behold
It is rather a shame what happened in the end with Cancelo at City, because he was an incredible player at times.
He was often questioned for his defending. But in terms of technical ability, few could hold a candle to him. Earlier this year, Walker admitted that Cancelo was the best technical full-back he had ever seen.
He was a master of that Trivela pass, and his assist for Haaland against Dortmund is undoubtedly one of his best highlights.
You get the impression that Haaland really liked playing with Cancelo, as the Portuguese had remarkable vision and could play all kinds of passes up to him.
It is something of a shame he is going to Al-Hilal, but seemingly that was the only option in the end.