Barcelona have received timely positive news on the injury front following their hard-fought win over Celta Vigo.
According to Mundo Deportivo, fears surrounding Joao Cancelo have been eased, with initial concerns proving to be far less serious than expected.
The Portuguese full-back was forced off early during the match, sparking immediate worry among fans and staff.
Cancelo had to leave the pitch just 23 minutes into the game after experiencing discomfort in his right thigh, raising fears of a potential muscle injury at a crucial stage of the season.
How did it happen?
The incident occurred during a routine defensive action.
Cancelo appeared to hurt himself while playing a back pass to goalkeeper Joan Garcia, before collapsing to the ground.
Medical staff quickly rushed to his aid, and it became clear that he was struggling to maintain balance and put weight on his leg.
Cancelo was taken off early in the game. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The urgency of the situation prompted Hansi Flick to make an immediate substitution.
With little time to prepare, Alejandro Balde was called into action straight away, entering the pitch without a proper warm-up as Cancelo made his way off.
Initially, the signs did not look encouraging, as the defender was seen limping and holding the upper part of his right knee, which only intensified concerns over a possible layoff.
Nothing serious
According to the outlet, as Cancelo walked off and communicated with Flick, his movement improved noticeably.
By the time he reached the dressing room, he appeared to be walking normally, which is a strong indication that the issue was not as severe as first feared.
Subsequent assessments have now confirmed that the problem was simply a knock, not a muscle tear or structural injury.
This means Cancelo is expected to be available for Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga fixture against Getafe, providing a significant boost for the team as they push towards the title.