FC Barcelona Defender João Cancelo Denounces Death Threats Against Unborn Daughter

João Cancelo, a defender for FC Barcelona, has revealed that he received disturbing death threats against his unborn daughter on social media following the team's Champions League elimination against Paris Saint-Germain. Cancelo made two critical mistakes in the match, leading to PSG's goals in their 4-1 victory, which saw Barcelona lose 6-4 on aggregate.

The Portugal international expressed his dismay at the reprehensible messages he received on Instagram, stating that "wishing death upon a baby is a very serious matter." Cancelo acknowledged that he had a poor performance in the match and deserved criticism as a player, but emphasized that his family should not be targeted. "People can criticize me as a player, but they should not attack my family," he said.

Cancelo admitted that he made an "immature" penalty that contributed to Barcelona's elimination and said he had trouble sleeping after the loss. "I couldn't sleep after the match because I felt I didn't do my job well," he revealed. The defender also responded to comments made by former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, who criticized Cancelo's performance in the match.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the growing problem of online abuse and harassment faced by professional athletes, particularly in the world of football. It raises concerns about the psychological impact on players and their families, and underscores the need for stronger measures to combat such behavior on social media platforms.

Despite the setback and the disturbing threats, Cancelo is looking forward to Barcelona's upcoming match against rivals Real Madrid in La Liga. He sees it as an opportunity to respond and try to win the game. "We have to get revenge against Real Madrid," said Cancelo's teammate Ronald Araujo, who was also sent off in the match against PSG. The Barcelona president has been advised to reconsider signing Cancelo permanently after his performance, and the club is currently contemplating another loan agreement for next season with a mandatory option to buy.

Key Takeaways

• João Cancelo received death threats against his unborn daughter after Barcelona's CL loss to PSG.
• Cancelo acknowledged his poor performance but said his family should not be targeted.
• The incident highlights the problem of online abuse faced by athletes, raising concerns about mental impact.
• Cancelo is looking forward to Barcelona's match against Real Madrid to respond to the setback.
• Barcelona is considering another loan agreement for Cancelo after his performance against PSG.