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Joao Cancelo has been spurred on to football success by the tragic death of his mother in a car crash six years ago.

The new Manchester City signing was asleep in the car, along with his brother Pedro, after his mum Filomena dropped their Swiss dad Joseph at the airport.

Driving along a motorway in Seixal, near Lisbon, their Audi A3 was involved in an accident at 1.20am on a Saturday, and while the two sons suffered only minor injuries, Filomena died.

Joao was an 18-year-old, playing for Benfica B at the time, and already showing plenty of promise with the Portugal under-20 team.

Obviously, Cancelo found it tough to focus on his football. He posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook which read: “I lost the light of my life, my reason for living. I love you woman of my life, wherever you are I'm with you.

“I want you to look after me and protect your father and brother. I am dead inside, but I will be strong and I will give you the greatest pride in the world.

“You are my life, without you nothing makes sense. Rest in peace, Mom.”

After the initial grieving, Cancelo determined to make all her years of sacrifice for him count for something.

He said: “After the death of my mother in 2013, the following two months were extremely difficult.

“Before, it was her who came and take me to training. She helped me in everything.

“After that moment when she was gone, there was no one waiting for me. I came home and went to bed crying. I have my mother in my heart and she continues to be present with me.”

Just over a year after the tragedy, he made his competitive debut for Benfica’s first team before moving on to Valencia and then Juventus, in 2018.

On joining the Italian giants, Cancelo paid tribute to his mum, saying: “I thank all those who helped me realise this dream. My family, my colleagues, former classmates, coaches before and now.

"I have a thank you for each of them, I have learned from all. “But you, Mom, have been my incentive to achieve this goal in life. Your strength is mine, you are always with me. It's all for you, Mom.”