For Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo, the coming weeks could represent a moment that places him in a category that no player has ever been in.
Currently on loan from Al-Hilal, the Portuguese full-back is on the verge of winning all five of Europe’s top leagues.
Again, that is a feat no other player in modern football has managed.
Cancelo already boasts a career that has seen him lift the Portuguese league title with Benfica, dominate in Italy with Juventus, secure Premier League success with Manchester City, and add the Bundesliga crown during his time at Bayern Munich.
Now, only one piece is missing – La Liga.
Right on the verge
That opportunity is firmly within reach, as Barcelona are currently in control of the title race.
Ironically, this is not his first attempt at securing the Spanish crown. During the 2023–24 season, Cancelo featured for Barcelona on loan but fell short as Real Madrid finished as champions.
Joao Cancelo is on the verge of creating history. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
This time, however, everything feels different.
Apart from the title itself, there is also a personal objective as Cancelo is keen to secure his long-term future at Barcelona, a club he actively pushed to return to.
Under Hansi Flick this season, Cancelo has evolved from a rotational option into a reliable starter.
Primarily operating at left-back, he has offered both defensive balance and attacking width, quickly becoming an important part of the system.
Yet, his contractual situation is far from resolved. This is because Cancelo is still tied to Al Hilal, but he is not considered part of their long-term plans.
The player himself has made it clear that he is open to leaving and is even willing to waive the final year of his contract to facilitate a move.
For Barcelona, this opens the door to a favourable deal. The club is pushing to secure his transfer either on a free or for a minimal fee and if everything falls into place, the outcome could be historic.