FC Barcelona star Joao Cancelo recently disclosed that he and his family faced death threats following the team's defeat in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The match, which ended in a 4-1 loss for Barcelona, saw Cancelo involved in a crucial moment where he fouled Ousmane Dembele in the box, resulting in a penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe.
Cancelo shared with ESPN that the threats extended to his family, including his partner and unborn child. He expressed dismay over the cruel comments directed towards his loved ones, emphasizing that footballers are also humans who deserve respect.
Despite facing criticism for his performance, Cancelo acknowledged his mistake in giving away the penalty and accepted the feedback from analysts like Rio Ferdinand. He highlighted the importance of separating critiques of his gameplay from personal attacks on his family.
The aftermath of the defeat against PSG took a toll on Cancelo, who admitted to struggling to sleep due to the disappointment of not performing well. Looking ahead, he emphasized the need to move on from the challenging week and focus on upcoming matches, particularly the crucial El Clasico against Real Madrid.
With the La Liga title at stake, Cancelo and Barcelona are determined to bounce back and narrow the gap with Real Madrid in the league standings. The upcoming clash at the Bernabeu presents an opportunity for redemption and a chance to showcase their resilience in the face of adversity.
