A biography for Joao Cancelohasn’t been written yet.
“There have been lots of obstacles in my life and I've had to get over them.”
“Bernardo Silva and I have a relationship for a long time, we are from the same generation at Benfica, we have a very beautiful friendship because we are two completely opposite people and I think that's the funny thing. He's a typical person from Lisbon and I'm just that guy who practically came from the street.”
“I remember a time when I was robbed and attacked and the next day I was playing at the Emirates against Arsenal.”
“Ultimately, I want to show that against all odds and challenges, I can always come back and get stronger.”
“I'm a full-back who is more offensive than defensive, but I'm aware that the defensive side is also important.”
“Everything in life has an end.”
“I know that my mother is very proud of my journey.”
“Pep Guardiola was a big reason for me to join Manchester City. I've always admired him and the way he plays since he started at Barcelona.”
“My mother is the person I admire the most in this world. I apologise to my father - I know he will not take it personally - but my mother is more like me. Her personality is most similar to mine. Only I know what she did for me; the difficulties we both went through, the conversations she had with me when there was no money at home.”
“I like new opportunities and I have nothing against City.”
“Since I was a kid I've made this technical move: the trivela. We have a player too in Portugal who for me is the best at doing this, which is Ricardo Quaresma. I started to experiment from the moment I saw him do it and it was getting better with the years.”
“My mother was always a fighter. Besides the jobs she had, she always found time to take me to and from training. Those are little values that you pass on: no matter how many difficulties, we always have the strength to overcome them.”
“However much people try to make me suffer they won't achieve it.”
“That is Cristiano: hard work, dedication, talent. All that is what makes him one of the best footballers ever.”
“Transparent people like me don't always have it easy in today's fast and unforgiving world.”
“I am proud of my career because nobody has ever gifted me anything.”
“I am a transparent person, I never lie.”
“I would like to finish at Benfica.”
“I am used to playing on both sides and was able to develop both feet. I can do it. I feel comfortable.”
“If City didn't want to, they wouldn't let me leave, because I had a contract.”