Joao Cancelo registered with LaLiga with Barça's first team

FC Barcelona will be able to count on Joao Cancelo for the entire second half of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The 31-year-old defender returned to the Catalan club this week on a six-month loan. Taking advantage of the long-term absence of Andreas Christensen, Barça freed up 80% of the Dane's salary to register the Portuguese international until next June 30

Cancelo spent the last year and a half playing for Saudi club **Al Hilal**, with whom he signed until June 2027 after his transfer from **Manchester City** for **25 million euros**. However, coach Simone Inzaghi did not count on him for the second half of the season, and Barça took the opportunity to bring him back.

In 23/24, Joao also played on loan for one season in which he **played 42 official matches, scoring 4 goals and providing 5 assists**. Once his federation license was resolved, the player from Barreiro was called up for the Copa del Rey round of 16 tie against Racing de Santander

Barcelona already has 33 players registered in LaLiga

This way, the Blaugrana squad has 33 players registered in its official roster for LaLiga 25/26. Nine of them (Diego Kochen, Eder Aller, Jofre Torrents, Xavi Espart, Toomy Márquez, 'Dro' Fernández, Juan Fernández, Guille Fernández, and Toni Fernández) still have youth team contracts, meaning there is only one spot left for the first team

All First Division clubs have 25 professional player slots available in their squad. With the signing of Joao Cancelo, there are 24 slots filled.

• *Players with reserve team contracts

Barcelona could try to sign another center-back in the winter market, which closes on February 2. However, the board does not plan to make any more signings. The only move contemplated in the final stretch of the transfer window is the departure of Marc-André ter Stegen, who has an offer from Girona to leave on loan for six months. 

Joao Cancelo Ready to Debut Again in the League Against Real Sociedad

In Joao Cancelo's case, the Portuguese player will be able to make his league debut next Sunday on Barça's visit to Real Sociedad (21:00 h). The Catalans begin the second half of the tournament at Anoeta, where Hansi Flick's team suffered a narrow defeat last season (1-0).

For the moment, the Catalan team is leading with a 4-point advantage over Real Madrid. In 23/24, Cancelo played 32 league matchdays, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists for the team then managed by Xavi Hernández.

• 👉 You can read more about Barça's current affairs in our sections on signings, results or LaLiga.