Joao Cancelo missed Atletico clash as a precaution as Barcelona star underwent heart checks
Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo reportedly missed Sunday’s win over Atletico Madrid on medical advice and is being checked for a heart condition.
The Catalans said Cancelo was missing from the squad due to a “knock” but Fermin Lopez hinted it was something else when he dedicated the win to his team-mate afterwards.
RAC1 have now offered an update on Cancelo and say he missed the game on medical advice as a “precaution.” The report adds that one of Cancelo’s relatives “has a heart problem and the club’s medical services want to rule out that it is hereditary.”
‼️NOTÍCIA @EsportsRAC1
Joao Cancelo es va perdre el partit contra l’Atlètic de Madrid per recomanació mèdica, de forma preventiva. Un familiar del jugador té un problema al cor i els serveis mèdics del club volen descartar que sigui hereditari. #frac1 pic.twitter.com/fWrlTRa74F
— El Barça juga a RAC1 (@FCBRAC1) March 20, 2024
Cancelo is expected to link up with Portugal over the international break, but has been allowed to miss their first game against Sweden – along with a host of other players including Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez offered an update on the situation when asked about Cancelo at a pre-match press conference and is still expecting him to join the squad.
“We are working, Cancelo is on the list for the second game, we are working on how to monitor the players as we do, we work with the club like Barcelona, but now there is no reason to be alert.”
It’s still a worrying update on the defender, who is on loan from Manchester City, and let’s hope he gets the all clear as soon as possible.
Cancelo has been a regular for Xavi after moving on a season-long loan from Pep Guardiola’s side, but it’s not yet clear if he will stay beyond the end of the current campaign.
