According to a report by Barca Universal on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Joao Cancelo has appeared to hit back at critics following Barcelona’s 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, posting a defiant message on Instagram just days before Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.

The Portuguese full-back faced criticism for his defensive display in Paris, particularly after an error contributed to Fabian Ruiz scoring PSG’s fourth goal. His social media activity has since drawn attention, with the timing suggesting a response to those questioning his performance.

Cancelo shared a message on his Instagram story that read: “From the stands everyone is an expert. I want to see you get into the game and withstand the pressure.” He accompanied the post with Michael Jackson’s song They Don’t Care About Us.

The Barcelona defender later uploaded another photograph of himself pointing towards the sky. Although he did not identify anyone specifically, the posts came shortly after the criticism directed at him following the defeat at the Parc des Princes.

Cancelo endured a difficult evening against PSG, receiving a yellow card in the first half and struggling to contain Desire Doue. His defensive positioning and decision-making were also questioned, particularly after he switched flanks during the match.

His most damaging moment came when he lost track of Ruiz, allowing the PSG midfielder to find the net with an unguarded goal. The mistake intensified concerns about Cancelo’s ability to maintain defensive discipline against top-level opposition.

Questions have also been raised about the risks associated with his attacking style, as his forward runs can leave spaces for opponents to exploit. Similar concerns emerged during Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final against PSG in April 2024, when the Catalan side were eliminated.

Despite the criticism, manager Hansi Flick continues to value Cancelo’s attacking contribution and technical ability. With Barcelona dealing with several defensive fitness concerns, the Portuguese international could still play an important role against Real Madrid.

Flick will need to weigh the defender’s attacking strengths against the defensive vulnerabilities highlighted in Paris. Sunday’s El Clasico will provide Cancelo with an opportunity to answer his critics through his performance on the pitch.