FC Barcelona defender João Cancelo has boldly declared that the Catalan giants are the biggest football club in the world following their latest Spanish league triumph.
Barcelona sealed the 2025/26 La Liga title after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 at Camp Nou, a victory that secured the club’s 29th league crown with three matches still left to play.
The triumph also marked back-to-back league titles for the Blaugrana as they continued their domestic dominance under another impressive campaign.
The atmosphere during the post-match celebrations was electric as players, staff and supporters filled the stadium with songs and chants.
Amid the excitement, Cancelo took the opportunity to express his admiration for the club, insisting that no other side in world football compares to Barcelona in stature and prestige.
Speaking passionately during the celebrations, the Portuguese international stated that “For me, Barça is the biggest club in the world “.
The 31-year-old’s comments has since generated discussion among football supporters online, particularly because of the fierce global rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid and the constant debates surrounding two of the biggest football institutions on the planet.
Cancelo Opens Up On Difficult Al Hilal Spell
Cancelo also used the moment to reflect on the difficult circumstances that led to his January move away from Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia to Barcelona for a second stint.
The experienced full back joined Barcelona on loan from the Saudi Arabian side midway through the season after finding himself out of favour despite initially being promised an important role at the club.
According to Cancelo, the situation at Al Hilal became frustrating after assurances made to him were not fulfilled.
“Someone at Al Hilal lied to me. They told me I was gonna be included in Saudi League squad, but then I was left out.”
João Cancelo
The defender’s remarks shed more light on his abrupt exit from Saudi Arabia and explain why he quickly pushed for a return to European football despite only recently joining the Middle Eastern club in the summer of 2024.
A Decision Well Made
Cancelo’s decision to move back to Spain has ultimately proven successful. Since arriving in January, he has played a key role in Barcelona’s title-winning campaign and has quickly re-established himself as one of the team’s most dependable performers.
Reflecting on the move and the success that followed, Cancelo expressed satisfaction with the decision he made earlier this year.“ I decided to move forward, I’m here, I won a title at Barcelona, I’m happy.”
The Portuguese defender has slotted seamlessly into Barcelona’s setup after his arrival and provided much-needed quality and experience to the squad during the crucial second half of the campaign.
Comfortable on both flanks, Cancelo’s versatility allowed the coaching staff to rotate systems and maintain consistency during the decisive stages of the season. Since rejoining Barcelona, he has made 20 appearances across all competitions while contributing both defensively and offensively.
His experience at the highest level of European football proved valuable for the Catalan side as they successfully defended their league crown.
This is not Cancelo’s first spell at Barcelona. He previously spent the 2023/24 season on loan at the club from Manchester City, where he impressed supporters with his attacking style and technical quality.
Although he eventually returned to Manchester City before later moving to Al Hilal, his connection with Barcelona remained strong.
Over the course of his career, Cancelo has represented several elite European clubs, including Juventus, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished full backs of his generation.
Cancelo Makes History
His latest league triumph has also seen him enter football history. With Barcelona’s La Liga success, Cancelo has now become the first player ever to win league titles in four of Europe’s top five leagues.
The Portuguese star previously lifted the Serie A title with Juventus in Italy, won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in Germany and captured the Premier League crown with Manchester City in England before now adding the Spanish title with Barcelona.
The achievement further highlights the remarkable consistency and success Cancelo has enjoyed throughout his career despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way.
For Barcelona supporters, however, his impact this season will be remembered not only for his performances on the pitch but also for the passion he displayed toward the club after helping deliver yet another league title.
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