João Cancelo relives mother's fatal car crash, violent Manchester home invasion, and Guardiola fallout in emotional SIC interview
In a rare, deeply personal interview, João Cancelo revisited the car accident that killed his mother, a violent assault at his Manchester home, and his regret over the argument that ended his Manchester City spell.
João Cancelo, the 32-year-old Portuguese full-back currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup, sat down with Daniel Oliveira on SIC's "Alta Definição" on 13 June for a rare, deeply personal interview. Away from the pitch, Cancelo revisited a series of traumatic events that shaped his life and career, from a highway crash that killed his mother when he was a teenager to a violent home invasion in Manchester and a regretted falling-out with Pep Guardiola.
A mother lost on the A2
On 5 January 2013, when Cancelo was 17, he was returning from dropping his father at the airport with his mother Filomena and eight-year-old brother Pedro. On the A2 motorway the car left the road, and his mother died. Cancelo described trying desperately to lift the vehicle: "Aquilo era tudo muito escuro, estávamos no mato, na A2, num penhasco. Tentei levantar o carro com a minha força máxima, mas não consegui." In the years that followed, he would climb the cemetery wall at night to speak to her.
I remember my mother's last scream, my brother crying... I tried to lift the car to get my mother out, but I couldn't.
Held at knifepoint in his own home
On 30 December 2021, Cancelo was at his Manchester residence with his wife, daughter, and extended family. Four hooded men entered after a relative left the door unlocked. Cancelo punched one intruder in the back of the head but was struck with an iron bar, leaving a scar above his eye that required eight stitches. He regained consciousness to find a knife at his neck.
I woke up, and there was a knife pointed at my neck.
The attackers forced him to his bedroom while his wife locked herself in the bathroom. They stole three watches, a rucksack, and family gold chains. Cancelo was kicked repeatedly until the floor was soaked with blood.
The Guardiola dispute and City exit
Cancelo reflected on the argument with manager Pep Guardiola that led to his departure from Manchester City. He called it "a stupidity" and admitted he should not have questioned the coach.
I have resentment because I was living my best sporting moment... I had a discussion with someone I shouldn't have.
He later spoke with Guardiola at the Club World Cup and wished him well, calling him "the best coach of all time". Cancelo said the conflict was not extraordinary, but that he disagreed with something the coach said and shouldn't have argued.
Grieving a fallen teammate
Cancelo also recounted learning of the death of Portugal teammate Diogo Jota, a loss that reawakened his own grief. He woke to 20 messages from his wife and broke down when she told him the news.
I woke up and had 20 messages from my wife. I called and she said: 'Diogo Jota has passed away.' I broke down in tears.
The interview underscored the resilience Cancelo built from a childhood of hardship: a father working in Switzerland, a mother holding three jobs, and becoming the family pillar at 17 after the accident.
