Man City Star Cancelo

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo is out of Euro 2020 after testing positive for coronavirus ahead of their first game.

Cancelo had travelled to Budapest with the squad as they prepare to face Hungary on Tuesday but was the only member of the group to return a positive Covid-19 test, meaning his tournament is over before it has even got going. An official statement added: “The Hungarian health authorities were immediately informed and the player who is doing well was placed in isolation.”

The news is tough on Cancelo, who scored an excellent goal in a warmup game and was expected to build on what has been an impressive season under Pep Guardiola.

According to the UEFA protocol for the European Championships, players like Joao Cancelo can be replaced before the first game o the tournament if they test positive for Covid-19. 

kagwirawo.co.ug

However, and importantly, it is stated that players cannot go back in the squad, even when they next test negative.

Replacing him in the squad will be Manchester United outcast Diogo Dalot, the 22-year-old who has spent the last season on loan at AC Milan. Dalot appears surplus to requirements at Old Trafford after failing to establish himself as a regular in the team, but has been given the opportunity to step up for his country after recently representing them in the Under-21 European Championship.

Man City Star Cancelo

Dalot will reinforce what remains a considerable contingent from Manchester in the Portugal squad, with United talisman Bruno Fernandes joined by City players Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Portugal are seen as one of the teams to watch in the competition with so much talent packed into their starting XI but do find themselves in a tricky group; Germany and France complete their group.