Barcelona’s Cancelo Transfer: A Misstep in Communication

The announcement intended to celebrate Joao Cancelo’s return to FC Barcelona quickly turned into a communications misstep for the club. On Tuesday afternoon, Barcelona’s official website and social media channels proudly confirmed the agreement with Al-Hilal for the Portuguese defender’s loan until the season’s end, including details about his shirt number and images of the signing.

However, in a matter of moments, the posts were removed. The official statement disappeared from the club’s site, and the celebratory tweets were erased from their timeline. This abrupt retraction raised concerns about a potential failed medical examination, a last-minute contract issue, or a breakdown in negotiations.

In reality, the situation is less dramatic but perhaps more embarrassing for the club’s communications team. As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the decision to retract the announcement stemmed from the club’s ongoing wait for the final documentation exchange with Al-Hilal. While the agreement is officially in place and Cancelo is physically present in Barcelona, the necessary bureaucratic processes, including the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and final approval from the Saudi Pro League, were not fully completed when the announcement was made.

Club sources have swiftly addressed concerns, stating that the operation is secure and it’s “only a matter of time” until the paperwork finalizes the transfer. It appears the media team, eager to share good news with a fanbase desperate for reinforcements, acted prematurely, ahead of the legal department’s completion of formalities.

The strict regulations governing international transfers require that all documentation be perfectly aligned between the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) before a player can be officially registered. Until the final electronic handshake in the Transfer Matching System (TMS) occurs, Cancelo is not technically a Barcelona employee.

Despite the digital miscommunication, the physical reality of the transfer remains intact. Cancelo was present at the club’s offices on Tuesday to officially sign, participating in a formal ceremony alongside his family and key members of the Barcelona board, including president Joan Laporta.

During this brief visibility, one notable detail was confirmed: Cancelo will don the number 2 shirt, the same number he wore during his previous loan spell in the 2023-24 season. This jersey became available following a reshuffle earlier in the year, as young center-back Pau Cubarsí, who had temporarily worn the number, switched to the No. 5 shirt vacated by Inigo Martínez.

By reclaiming this number, Cancelo joins a lineage of illustrious full-backs at Camp Nou, following in the footsteps of legends like Dani Alves, Juliano Belletti, and Albert Ferrer. His return to this number signals the club’s intent to utilize him as an immediate first-choice starter.

While the retraction of the announcement has caused some stir, the signing itself is effectively complete. Cancelo’s presence in the offices, the photographs with the president, and the signed contracts currently resting on a desk in Barcelona attest to the imminent nature of his return.

The initial announcement, though premature, confirmed that the deal is a straightforward loan until the end of the season. Cancelo returns to a familiar environment where he previously played 42 matches, netting four goals and providing five assists. His adaptation period is expected to be negligible, which is essential for a mid-season acquisition.