“I wanted to dedicate this victory to Cancelo, who is having a hard time. He is going for him,” Fermín said after Barcelona’s victory at the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid. The Portuguese full-back was sidelined at the last minute due to some physical problems. As RAC 1 explained, the Portuguese could not play the match because a close relative of his was detected with a heart problem that could be hereditary.
On medical recommendation and as a preventive measure, Cancelo has undergone several tests. As La Vanguardia learned, he has overcome them satisfactorily so he will not have problems continuing to play soccer. Cancelo received the news euphoric and happy. After being absent from the Metropolitano, he was released from Portugal’s first friendly against Sweden that will be played this Thursday. Yes, he could play the second against Slovenia. The full-back is part of a group of eight players who are authorized to report after the match against Sweden. Coach Robert Martínez was asked this Wednesday about Cancelo’s situation, but he assured that “it is no cause for alarm now.”
Barça has celebrated that Cancelo can continue enjoying football. He recently retired Kun Agüero after noticing that he was short of breath in a match played on October 30, 2021 against Alavés. “Ten days before in training I had a short arrhythmia, I did the check-ups and it seemed like everything was fine. Then it happened in the game, I didn’t expect it. Five minutes before I started to feel very hot in my body, I thought it was because of the game, I never imagined it was because of this,” Agüero explained. The Argentine announced in December 2021 at the age of 33 that he was retiring as a professional player due to arrhythmia. “Cancelo has a lot of involvement and a huge heart. We dedicate the victory to him and to all those who cannot be there,” said Xavi after the Blaugrana’s victory against Atlético de Madrid.