Barcelona veteran star opens up on relationship with midfielder: ‘The little brother I’ve always wanted’

Barcelona’s winter reinforcement Joao Cancelo has wasted no time rekindling the bonds that made his first loan spell at Camp Nou so memorable, and in an interview with the club’s official media the Portuguese right-back singled out one teammate above all others: 21-year-old midfielder Gavi.

Cancelo, 31, re-joined the Blaugrana on loan from Saudi side Al Hilal until June after spending the 2023/24 campaign with the Catalan giants while still registered to Manchester City. During that initial stint the veteran defender quickly became a dressing-room favourite, but it was Gavi’s immediate warmth that left the longest impression.

“It’s a bit unfair because I get along well with everyone, but Gavi… From the moment I arrived, he made me feel at home,” Cancelo explained. “He’s a guy I get along with really well, and he’s very much like me. He’s like the little brother I’ve always wanted.”

The Portugal international recalled their first encounter in the Barcelona locker room: “When I arrived, he approached me and told me that he would be there for whatever I needed. That made me feel very good, and I have a special affection for him.”

Gavi, a La Masia graduate, is widely regarded as one of the most popular figures among both teammates and manager Hansi Flick. The midfielder is currently in the final phase of rehabilitation after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in September and is expected to resume group training imminently.

With Cancelo back in the fold and Gavi nearing a return, Barcelona hope the rekindled “big-brother, little-brother” dynamic can provide an emotional lift during the season’s decisive months.