FC Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo appears to have responded to criticism following his difficult performance against PSG.
The Portuguese full-back shared a pointed message on social media ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international came under fire from sections of the Barcelona fanbase after the Catalans suffered a 4-2 defeat in Paris.
His [latest Instagram story](https://www.instagram.com/stories/jpcancelo/), however, suggests he is unwilling to accept the criticism quietly.
Cancelo shared a message in Portuguese that translates to: **“Everyone is an expert from the stands. I want to see them get into the game and handle the pressure.”**
The story was accompanied by Michael Jackson’s song **“They Don’t Care About Us”**, adding to the defiant tone of the message.
Joao Cancelo via Instagram
Although Cancelo did not directly mention Barcelona supporters or the PSG match, the timing has attracted attention following the criticism of his defensive performance.
The full-back struggled during a demanding evening at the Parc des Princes, where Barcelona’s defensive organisation was repeatedly tested by Luis Enrique’s attacking side.
His performance was particularly disappointing given the experience he brings to Flick’s squad and the expectations surrounding his role in important European fixtures.
Cancelo’s frustration is understandable. Playing at the highest level involves pressure that supporters watching from the stands or at home cannot fully experience.
However, criticism is also part of representing Barcelona, especially after a defeat in which the team’s defensive weaknesses were exposed.
Supporters are entitled to question performances without having experienced the same pressure themselves.
While not all criticism is necessarily fair, it would be equally lazy to dismiss it as meaningless.
Cancelo remains a technically gifted player whose attacking qualities can help Barcelona considerably. However, he needs to be more defensively aware.
With Real Madrid awaiting on Sunday, he has an immediate opportunity to respond in the most convincing way possible.
Rather than allowing a social media message to dominate the conversation, Cancelo should focus on delivering a solid performance in El Clasico.