Portuguese star linked to fan incident amid previous controversies.

Joao Cancelo

Video footage circulating on social media shows Joao Cancelo, former Manchester City and current Al Hilal star, allegedly assaulting a man on a flight. Cancelo joined Al Hilal in 2024 from Manchester City following a reported fallout with Pep Guardiola. Prior to that, he spent a loan spell at Barcelona.

This is not the first time Cancelo has been involved in fan-related incidents. In 2017, he made provocative gestures toward Deportivo La Coruna supporters while playing for Valencia. In 2023, while at Barcelona, a video went viral showing him appearing frustrated when fans asked for a photo, which he later attributed to personal mental health struggles. Additionally, during a World Cup qualifier for Portugal earlier this year, Cancelo provoked Hungary fans after scoring, prompting intervention from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva to de-escalate the situation.

In the most recent incident, the flight video shows Cancelo approaching a fan recording the event and allegedly attacking him, seemingly upset over an unshown prior issue. No official comment has been made yet, and further updates are awaited. This episode adds to the scrutiny of Cancelo’s off-field conduct, as fans and pundits await clarification from Al Hilal or the player himself.