FC Barcelona have confirmed the return of Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo on a loan deal from Al Hilal until the end of the season. The move comes just a day after Barcelona claimed their first trophy of the campaign, the Spanish Super Cup, with a commanding win over rivals Real Madrid.
Cancelo, 31, arrived in Barcelona on Monday, completed his medical, and is set to be officially presented on Tuesday. This marks his second spell with the club, having been a key figure during the 2023–24 season.
The signing was prompted by defensive concerns after Andreas Christensen suffered a partial ACL injury, sidelining him for over four months. LaLiga rules allowed Barcelona to register a replacement using a portion of Christensen’s salary, paving the way for Cancelo’s loan.
His versatility on both flanks offers head coach Hansi Flick more options across the backline. Jules Kounde can move back into central defense, Alejandro Balde can rotate with Cancelo on the left, and Gerard Martin remains an additional central option, giving Barcelona more balance and flexibility.
The club’s defense has been stretched this season following Inigo Martinez’s departure, Ronald Araujo’s absence since November, and Christensen’s injury, forcing reliance on younger and makeshift pairings.
During his previous loan spell, Cancelo made 42 appearances for Barcelona before moving to Al Hilal. Returning to European football ahead of the World Cup allows him regular top-level minutes to secure his place in Portugal’s squad, while Barcelona gain experienced depth as they aim to build on their Super Cup success.
