Cancelo: Napoli are playing better and better, so Barcelona must be careful
The Barcelona defender commented on the events in his career over the past year. Catalan side Barcelona are currently looking forward to the return leg against Napoli at home in the UEFA Champions League last-16 on the back of a 1-1 draw away from home at the online soccer betting sites.
The Blaugrana defender João Cancelo, who is no stranger to Italy after playing for Inter Milan and Juventus Turin, shared his expectations before the game:
- I was lucky enough to play only for great teams, so I am very proud of my path and my career. No one has ever given me anything for nothing. My future. I don’t know anything yet, but I would like to stay here. I grew up admiring Barca Ronaldinho, my idol, so it’s a pride for me to wear this shirt. There are not many other clubs I can go to.
- This year is a very difficult one for us. Barcelona is a very special club. Xavi said he would leave us at the end of the season, the team had ups and downs throughout the season. But a victory over Napoli would be a good motivation, our season would take on a different aspect.
- Football is a strange sport in general. Let’s look at Napoli, for example. They are also having a difficult season. They had won the Scudetto before, playing spectacular football, but they changed their coach, and now they don’t feel very confident. They are constantly changing something in themselves, and if this new thing doesn’t work, they change it again. That’s how it goes.
Kanselu on other players
We lost two important players like Pedri and de Jong, so it will be difficult, but Barca is one of the biggest institutions in world football and we have a big and skilled squad that has to do its own thing.
Lamin Yamal? He is an incredible footballer. Playing for Barcelona at the age of 16 is not for everyone. He has a special talent, but football is not just about talent. You also have to have the mentality, and from what I can see, Lamin has it. If he keeps his head on his shoulders and those around him help him stay on his feet, I think he can have an incredible future.
Napoli. I’ve always really liked this club because of Maradona, but also because it’s a popular team with deep roots in my hometown. When I came to Italy, they were led by Sarri and played great football. The one they had always dreamed of.
The Slovakian Calzona had a great qualification for the European Championships, losing only to us, the Portuguese national team. I don’t know him well, but he seems like a very good coach. Napoli are playing better and better, so we have to be careful.
I have great memories of Italy, both on and off the pitch. I know that Inter fans didn’t like my move to Juventus, and I’m sorry about that because I made a lot of friends in Milan.
