)
Joao Cancelo has disclosed that his family received 'death wishes' following Barcelona's ousting from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
The match, which unfolded into a nail-biting encounter, saw PSG overturn a first-leg defeat to secure a dramatic 6-4 victory against the Catalan giants.
During the match, Cancelo found himself embroiled in controversy, notably conceding a penalty for a challenge on former Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele.
)
17:45 - 20.04.2024
3 Records Triumphant Chelsea Set Against Hapless Barcelona in UEFA Women's Champions League Upset
Chelsea upset the odds to earn a historic victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal
)
17:22 - 20.04.2024
Bayern Munich reignites interest in Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong
Bayern Munich has thrown its hat back into the ring for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, reigniting speculation about a potential move for the Dutchman.
Cancelo's death threat
Reflecting on the incident, Cancelo revealed to ESPN, "There are comments on Instagram wishing death upon my daughter who's not even been born yet.
“They would not say it to me face, because we would have a problem, but in the comments, they write what they want."
)
The Portuguese full-back expressed his dismay at the vitriolic messages, highlighting the disregard for the personal lives of footballers.
"Wishing death upon a baby is really serious. People don't think about the person behind the footballer they see on the television. We are humans, too. We are just the same," Cancelo emphasized.
)
Cancelo, who played 82 minutes of the match, also faced criticism for his performance, particularly for the challenge leading to the penalty.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, now a football analyst, labelled the tackle as "silly" during TNT Sport's live coverage of the game.
)
Responding to Ferdinand's critique, Cancelo acknowledged the criticism, stating, "Ferdinand was a great player, but I am sure he made mistakes as well. We all do. But of course, it's his job, he's an analyst and he has the right to say what he thinks."
He further added, "I accept it, it's his opinion. Maybe the way I gave the penalty away was a childish [mistake], but with how the game was, my head at the moment, well, I accept the criticism."
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)