Joao Cancelo has been one of the most influential players for FC Barcelona this season. Having arrived on loan from Manchester City only on the last day of the last summer transfer window, the Portuguese has already made some key contributions for Xavi’s team, playing an important part in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Cancelo has been one of the most trusted players for the Barcelona head coach, but he was unable to get on the pitch in the match against Osasuna because of a strain in the internal lateral ligament of his right knee in the match against Las Palmas.
The player traveled to Saudi Arabia with the squad without the medical green light, but surprisingly, Xavi did not rule out the Portuguese’s chances of appearing in the Spanish Super Cup in the press conference before the Copa del Rey tie against Barbastro.
After landing in Riyadh, Barcelona were optimistic that Cancelo could make a return for the match against Osasuna as well. However, these feelings of optimism were subsided when Cancelo was seen training apart from the group before the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
However, as Diario AS has reported, the club provided a negative update about the player. Despite his competitive nature and will to fight, Cancelo left the training with the feeling that it would be impossible for him to get in shape for the final on Sunday.
Thus, Barcelona are expected to be without one of their key players for this important tie coming ahead. In Cancelo’s place, Ronald Araujo is expected to take the duties on the right flank, and continue with his personal duel against Vinicius Junior.