Barcelona suffer Joao Cancelo injury setback

It’s now official, Barcelona will be without Joao Cancelo for next couple of week, after the tests carried out on the Portuguese international this morning reveals he has a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

MEDICAL NEWS | Tests carried out this morning have revealed that first team player João Cancelo has a left MCL strain. He is out and his recovery will determine his availability. pic.twitter.com/r5tMSgGhl2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 5, 2024

The fullback hobbled out 11 minutes into the Catalan giants La Liga comeback victory over Las Palmas yesterday, and was replaced by Andreas Christensen.

Although Xavi quelled the worries over Cancelo’s fitness after the match, saying “João Cancelo’s knee injury doesn’t look serious. We hope it’s just a knock. We will know more tomorrow about it,” it’s now evident that the Spaniard gaffer will have to do without the services of the Manchester City loanee for now.

Barcelona’s official report on Cancelo’s injury reads: “Tests carried out on Friday show that first team player João Cancelo has a strained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He is unavailable for selection and his recovery will dictate his return.”

With three goals and two assists in 22 matches since he joined Barca in the summer, Cancelo now joins the likes of Marc-André ter Stegen, Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, Gavi and Pedri who are currently sidelined by injuries.