|
Title: Cancelo's Career at Al Hilal: A Journey Through Success and Challenges In the world of football, success often comes with its fair share of challenges and obstacles. For Brazilian midfielder, Marcelo "Cancelo" Fernandes, his journey to becoming one of the most promising young talents in the game began in Saudi Arabia. Born on September 25, 1996, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cancelo started his professional career with Portuguese club Benfica before moving to Al Hilal in January 2018. Since then, he has made a significant impact both on and off the pitch for the Saudi Arabian giants. At Al Hilal, Cancelo has been a key player for the team, helping them achieve numerous successes. In his debut season with the club, he played in all but two matches as they finished runners-up in the Saudi Professional League and reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League. His performance was rewarded when he was named the Best Young Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2019. However, success did not come without its trials. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the league schedule,Saudi Pro League Focus causing delays in Cancelo's progress. Despite this setback, he remained focused and worked hard to regain his place in the team. In March 2020, Cancelo returned to action after being sidelined due to injury. He played a crucial role in securing the club's victory against Al-Faisaly in the final match of the 2019-2020 season, which saw him earn the Golden Boot award for the tournament. As the season progressed, Cancelo continued to impress, playing an integral part in Al Hilal's performances. He also contributed significantly to their successful run in the AFC Champions League, scoring a goal in the quarter-final tie against Al-Shabab. The future looks bright for Cancelo, who is expected to continue his impressive form under the guidance of coach Javier Aguirre. With his versatility and skillset, he could potentially become a key player for the national team as well. Overall, Cancelo's journey at Al Hilal has been marked by success, both on and off the pitch. His dedication and determination have paid off, and he continues to be a valuable asset to the team. As he looks ahead to the next chapter in his career, it is clear that he will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Saudi Arabia. |
