Joao Cancelo has strongly criticized the online trolls who targeted his unborn daughter with death threats following Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona faced a disappointing exit from the Champions League quarter-finals after PSG secured a 4-1 victory in the second leg, resulting in a 6-4 aggregate loss for the Catalan club. Amidst the defeat, Cancelo, who is on loan from Manchester City, faced severe abuse from online trolls.
Cancelo, who has been a key player for Barcelona this season, expressed his frustration with the abusive messages he received. He highlighted the disturbing nature of some comments, including death wishes directed at his unborn daughter.
“People say all sorts,” Cancelo told ESPN. “There are comments on Instagram wishing death upon my daughter who’s not even been born yet. They would not say it to my face, because we would have a problem, but in the comments they write what they want.
“They’re offensive to my partner, my daughter, our unborn baby. It’s a cruel world and you have to know how to live with it. I know how to, but I just don’t know what to say anymore.
“Wishing death upon a baby is really serious. People don’t think about the person behind the footballer they see on the television. We are humans, too. We are just the same.”
Cancelo’s remarks shed light on the toxic behavior prevalent in online spaces and the impact it can have on individuals and their families.
Looking ahead to Barcelona’s upcoming match against Real Madrid, Cancelo’s teammate Ronald Araujo emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back and seek revenge. Despite the disappointment of their recent defeat, Araujo remains optimistic about Barcelona’s future prospects in the Champions League.
Additionally, Araujo addressed reports of a rift with teammate Ilkay Gundogan. Choosing to maintain his professionalism and respect for his values and principles.
Cancelo’s candid comments serve as a reminder of the importance of empathy and respect in online interactions. Highlighting the need to combat online abuse in all its forms.
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