João Cancelo has etched his name into football history. After winning the Serie A title with Juventus Turin in 2018/19, claiming three consecutive Premier League crowns with Manchester City from 2020/21 to 2022/23, and lifting the Bundesliga trophy with Bayern Munich in 2022/23, the Portuguese full-back added a LaLiga championship to his collection on Tuesday night. His Barcelona side defeated Real Madrid in El Clásico to seal the title, making Cancelo the first player ever to win league titles in four of Europe’s top five leagues.
While 21 professionals have won championships in three of the strongest European leagues—including stars like Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Arjen Robben, Sami Khedira, and Jens Lehmann—Cancelo now stands alone at the top. This historic feat cements his unique legacy in the modern game.
Cancelo’s LaLiga triumph marks his second league title won while on loan. After starting his career at Benfica, he moved through Valencia, Inter Milan, Juventus, and Manchester City before a winter loan to Bayern Munich in 2022/23. Under Thomas Tuchel, he helped Bayern clinch the Bundesliga on the final matchday. He then returned to City, spent a season on loan at Barcelona, and later joined Al-Hilal for €25 million in 2024/25. In January 2026, Cancelo left Saudi Arabia on loan to return to the Catalans, who needed defensive reinforcements due to injuries. Through his numerous transfers, Cancelo has generated around €145 million in cumulative transfer fees—making him one of the most lucrative defensive players in history, with only Matthijs de Ligt commanding higher total fees.
With a 14-point lead and three matches remaining, Barcelona secured the title well ahead of schedule. A draw would have been enough in El Clásico, but the win also puts a potential record within reach. The gap to Real Madrid stands at 14 points, just one shy of the best-ever margin after 38 matchdays (15 points). For Real Madrid, this season marks a second consecutive campaign without a major domestic title or Champions League victory. Meanwhile, Barcelona have won 11 straight LaLiga games.
Cancelo’s seventh league title overall includes six in top leagues and one in Portugal. While that tally is impressive, it pales in comparison to the record holders. His teammate Robert Lewandowski, along with Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Kingsley Coman, and Ryan Giggs, now has 13 league titles—ten in the Bundesliga and three in LaLiga.
The futures of both Lewandowski and Cancelo at Barcelona beyond this season remain uncertain. The club’s management appears keen to extend the Polish striker’s contract by a year, but Lewandowski has yet to make a decision. Meanwhile, Spanish outlet *Sport* reports that Hansi Flick has given the green light for Cancelo to stay. However, given Barcelona’s financial constraints, Al-Hilal and the player would need to cooperate. Any permanent move would have to be free of charge, and a salary reduction would be required. Cancelo remains under contract with Al-Hilal until 2027, earning an estimated €12 million per year. At Barcelona, he has contributed five goals and assists in 19 appearances, with a current market value of €9 million.
