Joao Cancelo has revealed how his family were 'terrorised' during a burglary at their home shortly after Christmas last year.
The Manchester City full-back suffered a facial wound as he fought off four intruders but somehow found the mental strength to return to action just two days after the terrifying attack.
Speaking to the press, Cancelo admitted that he learned how to deal with this kind of horror back in 2013, when his mother tragically passed away in a car crash, but he felt sorry for his family who had never experienced anything so harrowing.
"That's life, it happens," the full-back said. "It was horrific, it terrorised my whole family. I know how to deal with it but my family didn't deserve to go through that. I lost my mother but had to continue.
"There have been lots of obstacles in my life and I have to get over them, I'm a stronger player mentally and that's how I want to go on.
"I could drop my head, but I always like to think positively and that is how I can live my life in the best way possible."
On the pitch, Cancelo has been in outstanding form all season, establishing himself as one of the game's premier full-backs. Primarily a right-back, the 27-year-old has been shining on the left of City's defence this year.
With Kyle Walker suspended for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg meeting with Sporting CP, Cancelo could return to his natural right side.
Source : 90min